Garrard 401 Vs Technics 1210

[Clive]

It was a 124 that started me down the route of my current deck. I loved the 124 but came across a really well priced 301 first so I've continued that journey. I've heard the benefit that a 124 derives from a high mass plinth (loads of lead), whether slate helps a 124 in the way it does Garrards, I don't know.

My memory of the 124 is that music flows more than it does with Garrards. The Garrard have more punch. Ideally I'd like an EMT, 301, 124, SP10, all totally tweaked and optimised, oh a 1210 too to keep Marco happy.

[pure sound]

In my view the 2 most important things that lift a Garrard that's in decent nick are:

1) Slate plinth, ideally from Slatedeck

2) 2 or 3 O-rings around the platter (non-strobe platter takes 3)

I did the O-ring thing a couple of weeks ago. I was gobsmacked by the improvement. Without it the sound seems slightly murky, rather like a slightly cloudy beer that still tastes fine. Sounds with the o-rings are more distinct, less cluttered and more liable to "come from nowhere". The sound is tight & "in control". There seems greater stability, the sort of thing you'd expect from a direct drive. These Garrard platters must ring, ring, ring. Some others have reported only subtle improvements with the O-rings, either my platter rings especially badly or the slate plinth and OBs in my system make this improvement really obvious.

I had a 301 for a few years. The strobe platter did ring terribly and its effect could be ameliorated to some extent by the choice of mat although that could then introduce its own problems. I'd agree with the heavy plinth recommendation. However, charming as it was, it was never as satisfying to me as the SP10 is. It does still have a little too much of its own sound. I can certainly understand the appeal though, especially if someone is used to the imprecision of many suspended, belt driven decks.

[anubisgrau]

301 definitely ain't cheap!

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[Rare Bird]

Well i've never heard a bottom end quite like a properly sited '401' the closest i've been to it was my old Townshend Rock! but that's a totally different deck.. I much prefer the looks of the '401' over the '301'..I much prefer the bottom end of the '401' to the Thorens 'TD124' but i think the 'TD124' has a better top end than the '401'..Built quality on the Garrard is far better than the 'TD124'. SME manufactured a celebration Series 'V' with ''Garrard 401' printed down the armtube, i lusted for one but decided to stick with the Fidelity Research 'FR64S' instead..Hope that turns you onto the '401' over the 1210.



It's extremely important to have a proper plinth for your Garrard.Steer away from the very last '401' too

[DSJR]

I'll be ignored in this, but try a Spacedeck with sympathetic arm.. You'd be very surprised when comparing with a Garrard. If you want more "punch," get a heavy kit for it later.

The NAS decks, to me, sound cleaner than the Garrards, have no pitch or loading issues that I could hear and the soundstage is also wider and deeper, given a good pressing. Garrards (301/401) by comparison, seem to project the centre image more, but are narrower L to R IMO.

[chris@panteg]

Hi Dave

Yes the NA Spacedeck is truly superb ' i had a dem one afternoon at Kevin Scot's , it was fitted with a SME 310 and music maker ' going into an Art Audio pre , the Border patrol 300b with MB psu and a pair of Living Voice OBX with outboard X/Over .

It was bloody marvelous ' as a system ' one of the best and most satisfying i have ever heard , and at its heart was the little spacedeck (£800 at the time)
i still wonder why i never bought one ,instead going for the Voyd .5 .

[DSJR]

But did/do you enjoy the Void still? The Garrads are great at under £750 with plinth and cover, but at several hundred BEFORE restoration, I don't think so these days, as they're now collectors items. The Void will be too soon

[chris@panteg]

Yes i did love the Voyd .5 and it was special one off with the reference psu and mass damper's ' but it could be a frustrating deck ' the motors needed yearly adjustment as they became very noisy ' and the suspension also needed some tweaking but a truly great deck.

Unfortunately i rashly sold it back in 2005 (short of cash at the time) and downsized my system .

At the moment though i am more than happy with my 1210 and its getting better all the time , Dave's mat is a recent purchase and is by a country mile the best mat for the 1210 IMHO.

[DSJR]

I did the same thing selling my Mentor for £750 back in '95 - what a toss-pot. I'd give anything to have it now, as the Wave Mechanic supply and re-fettled arm with repaired Decca would have lifted it to a superb level.

[Barry]

.....I much prefer the bottom end of the '401' to the Thorens 'TD124' but I think the 'TD124' has a better top end than the '401'..Build quality on the Garrard is far better than the 'TD124'. .....



It's extremely important to have a proper plinth for your Garrard. Steer away from the very last '401' too

Would disagree with you on the first comment; almost the reverse in fact.

Agree with you on the second though.

Regards