Tonearm Ideas for Garrard 301 Rebuild


Hi all, i have a hammertone grease bearing Garrard 301 that i'm looking to give the royal treatment. I also need a plinth, tonearm, and cartridge. I know i'm asking for the world here but really just looking for opinions based on other's experiences.

Plinth: I'm thinking about going with Woodsong Audio...i like their build philosophy and many have commented on their excellent quality and sound characteristics. Plus their beauty is the best I've seen. I was initially looking at LignoLab but I'm not sold on the looks and the cost is extremely high.

Tonearm: This is a tough one and where i think I'll need the most advice...I think I want a 12", high mass arm since all signs seem to point to that being the best combo for the 301. The one's i've had interest in are Schick, Artemis/Schroeder TA-1L, SME 312s, and Origin Live Encounter Mk3c. The prices go all over the place on this one. The Schick has my eye due to price but also for the reason it was pretty much built for the 301 and has also received great reviews on the 301 itself. Does anyone have experience with these arms on a 301? Any other contenders I should consider?

Cartridge: I think this depends on the arm i go with but I'm thinking about starting with the Denon 103R in a Soundsmith body. Again this is a highly debateable subject and probably not worth discussing until i find the rest of the pieces first.

Rebuild: Ok this is another area i could use some help. Woodsong does a full rebuild as well but it's pricey. Are there any other rebuilders out there that have a rep for good quality 301 rebuild work? I'd like to do a motor strip/cleaning, linkage cleaning/replating and have any parts that need it be replaced or is this easy enough i can do it myself with a service manual and patience?

Rest of my system is:
Shindo Masseto (Pre)
Shindo Cortese (Amp)
Transporter (Digital Source)
Metrum Octave (DAC)

Thanks in advance...
jcote

Showing 1 response by dfhaleycko

If you really want to optimize for the Denon 103R (a good idea, I think) then I'd recommend that you go for a higher mass tonearm. I've seen a number of people get OK results with medium-mass arms by adding heavier headshells and/or heavier counterweights. But really the 103R sings extremely well with something like a Fidelity Research FR-64s, which is a well-built, high-precision heavyweight arm. Of course if you decide you want higher compliance cartridges, the FR-64s won't be your best companion. But really with the Denon it is a match made in heaven!

HTH