Garrards - 401 Early vs Late
I've been granted permission from the Minister for Home Affairs to search out a good Garrard 401. Yippee!! (she likes the idea of one of Russ's lovely plinths).
Thing is, I'm not overly full of knowledge where these things are concered but one thing I have heard is that the earlier (raised lettering) 401's are a better turntable, better screwed together, than the later flush, embossed lettered ones?
There are a fair few of each beast on the Bay at the moment, a couple of which I've got a close eye on, but am just after a bit of info regarding them? IF I went for a later 401 would it be that much worse than the early one? Or underneath are the 2 versions pretty much the same animal?
Thanks muchly.
Thing is, I'm not overly full of knowledge where these things are concered but one thing I have heard is that the earlier (raised lettering) 401's are a better turntable, better screwed together, than the later flush, embossed lettered ones?
There are a fair few of each beast on the Bay at the moment, a couple of which I've got a close eye on, but am just after a bit of info regarding them? IF I went for a later 401 would it be that much worse than the early one? Or underneath are the 2 versions pretty much the same animal?
Thanks muchly.
Comments
Mine has the raised lettering and I've had it 15 years or so. I got it serviced 2 years ago by Terry at Lorricraft and whilst it looked more clean and tidy I can't it made that much difference sound wise.
Dom
Good to know the later 401's are no different under the skin - they seem to go for slightly less than the 'raised logo' 401's. I see one went on a certain auction site at lunchtime today, including a nice old damped Denon tonearm which would've been fun. Looked in nice nick too, all the docs present and correct.
I'll be using mine (when I get it) with an early 3009 II - for a bit of nostalgia more than anything then after a while will start looking for something more modern I think.
This is all Jim's fault by the way.
As I said to someone recently I consider a well sorted Lenco to be within spitting distance of a Garrard. But they don't look anything like as good. And unless you're very handy arm choice is a bit limited. Lenco 88s and 99s look much better and are easier for arm fitting but are fundamentally 75's under the bonnet.
It would seem the internet has shoved all these prices up. When I bought my first 401 in the early 80s I paid £35.00 and it had sat in the s/h shop for weeks; the guy dropped the price 3 times just to shift it!
Dom
The choice was to either re-plinth my TD150 (which is in lovely condition) or go for the Garrard. I'm very happy with the sound of the Thorens now, but the 401 is an itch I've wanted to scratch for a long time. Of course a TD124 would be nice but they're going for crazy money now - seems like they're well into 301 territory these days.
Dom
A childhood (or certainly a teenage!) dream now fulfilled.
Dom - will be in touch with you when it arrives, may pop it over to you for a look-over.
Dom
Excellent Richard!!
Photos when you can please.
This one's an early raised-logo one - serial's around 9500-ish if I remember, motor unit only. Cosmetically it looks very good indeed in the photos - the mechanical stuff I'm not so worried about as it's all serviceable and I'll get Dom or someone 'in the know' to have a good look over it at some point soon.
Will also be getting Russ Collinson to make up a plinth for it (having seen one of his Garrard plinths before, his work looks gorgeous). Doubt it'll be ready for Scalford but will certainly try to get it there.
I agree however that his work looks the business, I wish I had his skill for the finished product.
good reputation - I think they're fairly light. Of course he also does
some solid stuff in wood like cherry which looks unbelievable but these
are 400+ quid.
I'd like mine to look something like the hollow box one (with maple veneer) he's got on his website. It's the one with the 12" Jelco fitted.
Hope you can get it in time for Scalford. I'm making every effort to get there this year. I'd like to see/hear your 401. I also want to see/hear Phil's Voyd Reference as well as a couple of pairs of Snell/Audio Note speakers.
[IMG]http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af30/hifimaster/DSC00681.jpg[/IMG]
Is that an Audiomods Rega on your TT? If so what do you reckon of it?
The Rega RB series must be the most modded HiFi product of all time! Or damn close.
Did you fit the mods yourself or buy one ready done from Audiomods?
That's pretty much the exact same plinth I'm after. Once the deck has arrived (hopefully by the end of the week) I'll be in touch with Russ. He's not much more than an hour from me so quite handy.