Garrard 301 restoration project

[Jimbo]

Some of those old Mono recordings sound superb if not better than a lot of stereo stuff released soon after especially where they panned the recording to the extreme left and right.

Which ultrasonic record cleaner are you using? It will be the way forward for me when I upgrade my VPI 16.5.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Which ultrasonic record cleaner are you using?

Just a generic one from eBay and a motor kit I found which was available.

[Wakefield Turntables]

The Garrard 301 Restoration Project PT LX - More Skint Musings.....


Well the wallet is slowly recovering, but not enough to be messing around with new gear, gadgets or gizmo's. So, I decided to visit an old subject which I'd dipped my toes into some time ago, that of room treatment. Presently I have two corner traps at the back of my speakers and a couple of absorbing frames right next door to my speaker cabinets and these do indeed make things sound very nice, they add to the presentation of the 301 but I've been left with some doubt if I did enough to truly get the synergy bewteen the room, the speakers, and the 301.

My room is far from ideal in that I have a large windiw, a radiator and a large equipment rack full of gear between the two Tannoy speakers, unfortunately this can't change so it's a case of trying to make the very best of what I've got. In the past I have seen many setups with some room treatment sitting directly behind the speakers so in true bodgit fashion I decided to raid the guest bedroom where many pillows and duvets dwell. Currently I have a winter duvet draped across the width of the window ledge in a bid to try and damp any reflections from my window. It's all new to me, I do not have a microphone so cannot mess around with REW, I'm listening and tuning the room by ear which in my case fits my bargain budget system improvement experiments perfectly.

The only two downsides to this experimentation are that the listening room looks like a students digs and secondly I'll have the expense of buying and making some new panels if I should get a sonic leg up the ladder . It is fun and really does show what can be achieved with a little experimentation and messing around with stuff already floating around the house. I will of course have to leave things in place and do lots of critical listening but then that's how you learn how things have changed, either positively or negatively. As ever, stay tuned........

[Jimbo]

Always worth returning to Andy as it can make such a huge difference. I have only scratched the surface and need to do more but even the small amount I have done has vastly improved the listening experience. I think it's good to almost load the room with stuff and take away material slowly until you get the sound you want. Adding acoustic material is far better than DSP or trying to match kit to an untreated room. Did you watch this series of videos from New Record Day? They demonstrate effectively how treatment works and you can certainly hear it with headphones on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTgW2hZYn08

Best to listen to the whole series.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Yes, Jim, I've watched them all, I remember you recommending them ages ago and I learned a lot, thanks! It was mainly you that spiked my interest in the subject.

[Jimbo]

I thought it was night and day stuff and certainly made you question the relative tiny differences changes bits of kit can make in a. listening room.

Far better to unleash the full potential of the kit you already own?

[Wakefield Turntables]

Far better to unleash the full potential of the kit you already own?

Yes, that's been the whole ethos of this thread. The 301 has been tweaked and tweaked. I'm sure there is more to be had but that probably means either new tonearm/cartridge combo or new speakers, or possibly all three . Anyway, it's funny what can be achieved with a couple of old pillows.

[Jimbo]

Yes, that's been the whole ethos of this thread. The 301 has been tweaked and tweaked. I'm sure there is more to be had but that probably means either new tonearm/cartridge combo or new speakers, or possibly all three . Anyway, it's funny what can be achieved with a couple of old pillows.

I even had rolled up duvets in my room at one stage!

[Macca]

I thought it was night and day stuff and certainly made you question the relative tiny differences changes bits of kit can make in a. listening room.

Far better to unleash the full potential of the kit you already own?

Assuming it's got any potential! But seriously you're absolutely right. Room acoustics is make or break.

[Jimbo]

Assuming it's got any potential! But seriously you're absolutely right. Room acoustics is make or break.

Have you started making some bass traps yet to cope with the Huge Bass your going to have from those Beasts your buying


Rolls of Insulation left in their bags are superb, just stack em up in the corner. That is all my mate uses in his state of the art listening room in the corners.!