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GARRARD MODEL 301:A vintage and truly classic British-made turntable.Item DescriptionReleased in Britain in 1954, the Garrard 301 is an idler drive turntable that is highly sought-after by audiophiles and collectors alike. The turntable features a large motor that drives an idler, in turn driving the platter by its rim. The base is die-cast aluminum, offering a highly robust feel. By its high-quality construction and design, the 301 provides excellent performance, with low wow and flutter and low rumble.This turntable is very good condition. As photos show, the unit has some scratches and scuffs on the enclosure. The inside of this turntable has been cleaned. The unit has been thoroughly checked and tested by our professional technician, who has confirmed the integrity and excellent operation.Additional InformationTechnical SpecificationsSerial : 68604 Country/Region of Manufacture : EnglandPower Supply : 100/130 OR 200/250 AMPS 0.25 OR 0.125 WATTS 16 50 or 60Accessories -Rubber mat & Slip matTransit ScrewsSince items are in used condition, they don't have the transit screws sometimes. We kindly ask for your understanding.VoltagePlease check the power requirements for this device and the specifications of your power supply. If you need to use this item in a 220-240 V environment, you'll need a transformer. We sell high quality Japanese compact transformers (Nissyo), which will allow you to use this item safely and with good performance in your country.IMPORT TAX・Import duties, taxes, and other charges which are not included in the item price or shipping charges are the buyer’s responsibility.・Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.・Except in the case of faulty or damaged items, refunds do not include any return shipping or shipping charges. Your return shipping charge will be deducted from your refund if you receive any.
Unknown condition is the key qualifier here: at US$3,500, this sits just above the US$3,354 median and below the US$3,595 75th percentile for recent Garrard 301 listings. That makes it a fair-to-slightly-strong price for a properly serviced example, but not a bargain without clear evidence of condition, originality, and working order.
The 301 remains desirable for its powerful, authoritative drive, excellent torque, and classic broadcast-era build; a good one can be the heart of a serious idler-drive system. Before buying, verify the motor runs quietly at all speeds, the speed controls and brake work correctly, and the bearing, platter, idler wheel, and plinth are sound. At this price, service documentation and a credible plinth or restoration add real value; an untested unit with missing or tired parts could quickly become expensive.
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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