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Vintage Garrard Model 70 in like-new condition. This is a fantastic sounding vintage deck that lacks for nothing. A refinement on the classic Garrard design using the improved Synchro-Lab motor, it features an improved, lighter-mass tonearm which pivots closer to the record level to reduce flutter, often allowing it to track at under 1 gram. Work done to this unit includes:Fully torn down and restored mechanically and cosmetically: Lubricated, adjusted, critical springs replacedFitted with new Audio-Technica AT95E cartridge and stylus. The AT95E is legendary, offering an energetic, clean, and moderately bright sound with punchy mids and a surprisingly wide stereo soundstage.Set-down, tracking, return and other parameters, adjustedIdler reconditioned for solid trackingDodgy Garrard pressure contact system bypassed for solid audio signalCosmetically this unit is—with the exception of the cracked dust cover—in excellent shape. Looks great, sounds great, and a great way to get yourself into a vintage turntable in like-new condition for not a lot of dough.
This US$225 asking price is a genuine bargain, sitting well below the 25th percentile of US$175–US$2,699 and far under the median of US$1,599 for comparable Garrard 70 MKII listings. At this price, it is an undeniable deal that outperforms the typical used market by a significant margin, especially given similar units often list near US$225–US$300 with shipping.
The Garrard 70 MKII (also known as A70) is a well-regarded vintage turntable praised for its synchronous motor, full counterbalanced arm, and no-overarm record-changing mechanism that delivers transcription-quality playback. Its fully restored condition adds meaningful upside, offering a reliable, original-owner experience with included accessories. This clean listing of a beloved, functional vintage unit at a rock-bottom price is a clear buying opportunity for any enthusiast seeking value and performance.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Garrard Turntables trace their origins to the Garrard Engineering and Manufacturing Company, established in 1915 in Swindon, Wiltshire, England, as a division of the renowned jeweler Garrard & Co., founded in 1735. Initially tasked with producing motors and range finders for World War I, the firm pivoted post-war to consumer audio, crafting silent spring-wound motors for gramophones supplied to brands like Columbia and Decca. By 1930, it unveiled its first complete gramophone turntable, building a legacy in precision engineering amid the vinyl era's dawn.
The brand's product focus centered squarely on high-quality gramophone turntables, with iconic idler-wheel models like the 301 (launched 1954) and 401 (1965) standing out for their robust four-pole induction motors, aluminum chassis, and support for 33, 45, and 78 rpm speeds. These transcription turntables, favored by the BBC and European broadcasters, eschewed modern direct-drive or belt systems in favor of grease-bearing designs and eddy-current braking, often sold without plinths for custom integration. Garrard innovated in record changers and autochangers but never diversified into amplifiers, speakers, DACs, headphones, or cables.
Garrard occupies a revered niche as a vintage collector's cornerstone in the high-end hi-fi market, synonymous with the golden age of analog playback. Sold to Plessey in 1960 and ceasing production by the late 1970s, its decks remain prized today for their torque, build quality, and musicality among audiophiles restoring "Swindon iron" script-logo classics. No active modern entity perpetuates the original line, cementing its status as a benchmark for idler-drive excellence.
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