Garrard 301 - Project


I have been contemplating for a while which turntable to pursue given so many choices. Every time I look around, I just can’t help drooling over a fully restored Garrard 301 or 401. Aside from being an idler-drive, I keep reading and hearing about their unique ability to reproduce music with its sense of drive and impact thus making them very desirable to own. And with available meticulous restoration services and gorgeous plinth options, what’s not to like, right!

Would you please share your experience, good and pitfalls (if any) with a restored Garrard 301 to avoid before I go down this path.

And what about the IEC inlet and power cord, would they be of any significance. My two choices would be Furutech FI-09 NCF or FI-06 (G) inlets.

I have already purchased a Reed 3P Cocobolo 10.5” with Finewire C37+Cryo tonearm/interconnect phono cable with KLEI RCA plugs option.

Still exploring Cart Options, so please feel free to share your choice of cart with Garrard 301 or 401.

And lastly, I would like to extend my gratitude to @fsonicsmith, @noromance ​​​​@mdalton for the inspiration.

lalitk

@macg19 

You’re welcome! Sorry to hear about the issue with left channel, hopefully you can get it repair easily. I really appreciate your feedback on tube rolling, I am still using stock JJ’s …the phono is now fully “broken-in” and I’m really enjoying its warm, organic tonal characteristics. IMHO, this little giant slayer is a perfect fit for systems that are tuned or end user’s prefer intimacy and warmth. 

Inspired by your feedback, I am going to swap out JJ’s with NOS Telefunken 12AX7 this weekend. What cart you’re using with Model 4? 

Cool, let us know what you think of the Tele’s.

my cart is MSL Signature Platinum, TT is Clearaudio Innovation with Universal arm

Ive order a pair of the Sovtek LPS so I can compare with the stock set up

I made that suggestion months ago! 

noromance
12-04-2024 at 12:16am 
I haven’t heard an amp that hasn’t been improved by rolling in old production Telefunken ECC83/12AX7.

@noromance 

Indeed you did and I ordered the NOS Telefunken based on your initial suggestion but then I completely forgot about them….lol! 

@macg19 post reminded me that I had NOS Telefunken’s sitting in my closet.