PDA

View Full Version : Garrard 301 & 401 platters, interchangeable?



Wakefield Turntables
27-03-2018, 19:19
Can you use a 401 platter on a 301 deck?

DiveDeepDog
28-03-2018, 14:52
Yes, I checked the other day when there was a 301 with 401 platter fs, forgot to check if the 301 fitted 401, although from memory they don’t.

The 301 platter was couple of hundred grams heavier, but is less machined

Wakefield Turntables
28-03-2018, 18:03
Thanks Mark, there is the possiblity of a new platter in development for the 301, very very very early stages but I'll pass this information on and it may push the developer into action.

Andy831
29-03-2018, 08:07
Andy

I have both a 301 and a 401 running side by side. Both of my platters have strobe cut sides and look identical at first glance. (although I have never actually compared them in detail with your original question in mind) My understanding is that the 301 was originally shipped with a plain sided painted black platter (which I actually prefer the look of) The Strobe platter was available from Garrard as either an option or as an optional extra, not sure which.

So assuming my 301 strobe platter is the original platter supplied with my 301 (LOL it could of course be a 401 platter swopped out years ago before I owned it) then I am quite happy to take both off and undertake a more detailed inspection, but that will have to wait until weekend.

Andy

Wakefield Turntables
29-03-2018, 09:23
Andy

I have both a 301 and a 401 running side by side. Both of my platters have strobe cut sides and look identical at first glance. (although I have never actually compared them in detail with your original question in mind) My understanding is that the 301 was originally shipped with a plain sided painted black platter (which I actually prefer the look of) The Strobe platter was available from Garrard as either an option or as an optional extra, not sure which.

So assuming my 301 strobe platter is the original platter supplied with my 301 (LOL it could of course be a 401 platter swopped out years ago before I owned it) then I am quite happy to take both off and undertake a more detailed inspection, but that will have to wait until weekend.

Andy

yes please !

DiveDeepDog
29-03-2018, 10:06
The 401 platter has a machined recess in the top, probably accounting for the reduced weight from the same casting.
The strobe platter was an option for the 301, I’d give my high teeth for a smooth grey one :-)

I’m sure your aware of the CTC one, 7mm oversize, £1k with a bearing .

Andy831
29-03-2018, 18:45
Ok I have had a look Andy

As noted by Mark above the 401 has an indent in the top where the metal part of the slipmat sits to give a level platter mat.

In my case the 301 platter weighs maybe a 1/4 of a kilo heavier than the 401 party due to the previously mention machined top and also the platters have clearly been "balanced" at Garrard my 401 has 6 small holes drilled around the bottom skirt to remove material, the 301 just has just 1 of these machined holes. (I have nothing more accurate than bathroom scales to weigh the platters unfortunately)

I swopped platters around and both worked ok on the other table. I did not do any listening to determine whether the sound changed though.

Andy

Wakefield Turntables
29-03-2018, 19:06
That's great thanks for your time and effort I'll pass that information on.

Wakefield Turntables
29-03-2018, 19:08
I’m sure your aware of the CTC one, 7mm oversize, £1k with a bearing .

Yes, nicked idea from Shindo. It cost's nowhere near £1K to produce a platter. A classic example of stupid prices being paid. I'll take my chances with this potential new product. ;)

Barry
29-03-2018, 21:54
Can you use a 401 platter on a 301 deck?

Have you asked AudioGrail? I would have thought if anyone can answer your question it would be him.

DiveDeepDog
29-03-2018, 22:11
Yes, nicked idea from Shindo. It cost's nowhere near £1K to produce a platter. A classic example of stupid prices being paid. I'll take my chances with this potential new product. ;)

There's a bearing there too, but I get the point:eyebrows:

I swapped 301 onto 401 today and it fitted, funny my memory said 'No' :scratch:

Clive
29-03-2018, 22:18
The height of 301 and 401 differs by a few mm. You may need to shim the bearing to ensure the platter doesn't foul the chassis.

I put a 401 bearing in my 301, the platter was extremely close to the chassis.

Wakefield Turntables
30-03-2018, 09:28
The height of 301 and 401 differs by a few mm. You may need to shim the bearing to ensure the platter doesn't foul the chassis.

I put a 401 bearing in my 301, the platter was extremely close to the chassis.

Yep I also used to run the 401 bearing, I just used x3 1mm washers and it did the job perfectly. I'm not using the standard 301 bearing either. I've been through the standard 301 bearing, the Bastin modded 301 bearing, the 401 original bearing and now the SPH. The SPH is the best.



Have you asked AudioGrail? I would have thought if anyone can answer your question it would be him.

That was on my list of stuff to do!


There's a bearing there too, but I get the point:eyebrows:

I swapped 301 onto 401 today and it fitted, funny my memory said 'No' :scratch:

Great! Thanks for trying it as well.

sph
28-02-2019, 10:52
........... I'm not using the standard 301 bearing either. I've been through the standard 301 bearing, the Bastin modded 301 bearing, the 401 original bearing and now the SPH. The SPH is the best......


Thanks for the compliments!