New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Anyone running a Garrard 401?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Welcome to the Graham Slee Audio Products Owners Forum

 

Open to all owners plus those contemplating the purchase of a Graham Slee HiFi System Components audio product and wishing to use this forum's loaner program: join here (Rules on posting can be found here)

This website along with trade marks Graham Slee and HiFi System Components are owned by Cadman Enterprises Ltd


Anyone running a Garrard 401?

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Old skool View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 13 Jul 2018
Location: Kent
Status: Offline
Points: 279
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Old skool Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Anyone running a Garrard 401?
    Posted: 04 Apr 2019 at 9:23am
hi all

Does anyone have any experience of idlers?
Been offered a very collectible early 401. Full service by Loricraft. 

Will require a plinth & arm so most likely looking at 3k all together. 

I hear they need to be run for 30 mins to reach a stable speed though.  Not sure I can be dealing with that. 
I rarely have time for extended listening sessions. Just the of side hear and there. 

Also, are they finicky? Will it drive me mad??
Is the pursuit High Fidelity a sign of mental illness??
I think so....
Back to Top
morris_minor View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 27 Mar 2012
Location: Surrey
Status: Offline
Points: 6015
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote morris_minor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Apr 2019 at 12:39pm
I don't know why a fully serviced 401 would take half an hour to get a stable speed.

I've gone for idlers in a big way, starting with a PTP Lenco based Solid12 and going to a Garrard 301 in the shape of a CTC Classic 301. You can hear/see this here:


(It repays listening through your hifi or with good headphones Wink )

Once set up, it'd be good for years. You'd need a strobe or something else to set the speed adjustment correctly BTW. It works by moving a magnet over a disc attached to the motor spindle; the more of the magnet over the disc the greater the "braking" effect. With the magnet away from the disc the platter will spin slightly fast.

You may want to look here for a plinth http://layers-of-beauty.co.uk/13-garrard
I almost got one of these for my 301 but went for a granite one in the end. "Other plinth makers are available" Wink


Edited by morris_minor - 04 Apr 2019 at 12:41pm
Bob

Majestic DAC/pre-amp
Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V
Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50
2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links
Back to Top
Graham Slee View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar
Retired

Joined: 11 Jan 2008
Location: South Yorkshire
Status: Offline
Points: 16298
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Graham Slee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Apr 2019 at 2:38pm
Originally posted by Old skool Old skool wrote:

I hear they need to be run for 30 mins to reach a stable speed though.

Eh? 30 minutes? Motor bearings must be sha***d or dry.
That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps
Back to Top
BackinBlack View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 05 Feb 2012
Location: Hinton, N'hants
Status: Offline
Points: 2020
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BackinBlack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Apr 2019 at 4:20pm
Mine runs up to speed in not more than a few seconds. Usually turn on at the start of a session, remove record from sleeve, stop TT, place record, restart TT, clean record with brush, then play. Over a session, after a couple of hours or so check and adjust speed is sometimes necessary, in warm weather as the TT warms up there is a tendency to speed up very, very slightly, not noticeable unless you check the strobe.
They deserve a good solid plinth, not necessarily massive, certainly not lightweight as some belt drives use.
Ran mine with the classic SME 3009 mkII in a 15Kg (too heavy) multilayer wooden plinth for about 20 years before changing to an Audiomods classic arm and reduced weight 5Kg plinth. I'm currently, very slowly, building a new lighter ~4Kg plinth and refurbishing the TT with new springs, dampers etc, clean and relubricate motor and main bearings.
Looking forward to hearing it again.
Just listen, if it sounds good to you, enjoy it.
Back to Top
Old skool View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 13 Jul 2018
Location: Kent
Status: Offline
Points: 279
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Old skool Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Apr 2019 at 7:44am
New bearing apparently. Bit tight or so I’m told.  
Is the pursuit High Fidelity a sign of mental illness??
I think so....
Back to Top
Old skool View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 13 Jul 2018
Location: Kent
Status: Offline
Points: 279
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Old skool Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Apr 2019 at 7:48am
Guess the real question is do I go for this collectible idler as an investment & hope it doesn’t drive me bonkers with its need for constant fettling or spend similar money on a solid, reliable (& arguably collectible) Technics 1200G?
Is the pursuit High Fidelity a sign of mental illness??
I think so....
Back to Top
BackinBlack View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 05 Feb 2012
Location: Hinton, N'hants
Status: Offline
Points: 2020
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BackinBlack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Apr 2019 at 10:20am
Difficult choice. Both excellent turntables. I suppose it depends on how much you might want to expend on providing a decent plinth and an arm for the Garrard against the out  of the box usability of the Technics. But then there's the possibility of further improving the Technics with a better arm and outboard power supply.

Ian
Just listen, if it sounds good to you, enjoy it.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.109 seconds.