Garrard 301 - Return of A Legend | The Revolver Club
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Wondering Why is Garrard Model 301 so popular?
The Garrard brand was revived in 2018 by distinguished record collector Ajay Shrike’s Cadence Group, which also includes legendary tonearm and turntable manufacturer SME.
The 2019 High End Show in Munich saw the re-launch of the 301 turntable which had been out of production for over half a century.
Built from meticulously reconditioned vintage new-old-stock parts, the new 301 is truly the second-coming of a timeless audio icon.
Checkout Garrard 301 Turntable
SME’s goal is to manufacture the 301 as close as possible to the original specifications in order to retain its iconic sound signature and appearance.
This dedication is seen in every detail of the manufacturing process, from the specific rubber mixture used for the platter mat to the formulation of the acrylic paint finish, which was specially formed to match the originals.
The attention to detail extends even to the carefully re-created chassis plaques and instruction manual.
The 301’s massive high-torque AC synchronous motor with constantly applied eddy-current braking already ensured that the turntable exhibited a high level of speed stability and accuracy despite variations in stylus or idler friction.
SME has enhanced the performance further by re-machining the platter, motor, main bearing, spindle, and idler wheel to contemporary standards, allowing for wow and flutter specifications less than 0.2% and 0.05% respectively.
While the original 301 was sold without a plinth or tonearm, the new version is provided with a heavy dark walnut plinth using a clever three-tier isolation and damping system, reflecting SME’s expertise with high-end turntable design.
The unit ships with an SME M2-12R tone-arm, a new design resembling the assemblies frequently used with 301s in the ‘60s.
This classic J-shaped arm features a detachable aluminum headshell with azimuth adjustment, a two-stage counterbalance system, high- quality ball race bearings, and rigid construction to suit all types of phono cartridges.
The 12” form factor also minimizes tracking error.
Is the Garrard 301 any good?
All in all, this authentic re-creation of a 1950s masterpiece comes together to provide an effortless and dynamic sound reproduction, that is as rich as it is accurate.
The precise drive mechanism has a certain soulfulness that is lacking in today’s simpler belt and direct drive systems, giving it an allure perhaps similar to an exquisitely crafted mechanical watch.
While a plethora of companies provide restoration services for these classic decks, the new SME version is certainly a sure-fire way to obtain the exquisite tonal capabilities of the original.
Click here to shop the Garrard model 301
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