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Garrard 401 Turntable Desirable early version (c. 1966) of this classic turntable, mounted in a mahogany-veneered birch ply plinth. Turntable: I bought the 401 from a UK dealer about 25 years ago, and it has given trouble-free service since. It is unmodified apart from the fitting of an SMD spindle bearing thrust pad from Peak HiFi; the original thrust pad is still serviceable and can be easily reinstated if desired. The platter mat is original. Plinth: The bespoke dust cover is held in place by a pair of Linn Sondek hinges, which allow it to be lifted off when the turntable is in use bu
With condition unknown, A$1,950 still looks fair to slightly attractive against your recent AUD comp set: it sits below the A$2,256 median and inside the middle band between the A$1,599 25th percentile and A$2,786 75th percentile. That makes it a reasonable buy rather than a bargain-basement score, but it is priced well enough to merit a close look if the deck, motor, arm, and plinth are all in good order.
A Garrard 401 is well-regarded for its torque, drive, and heavyweight idler charm; when sorted properly, it can deliver a very lively, solid presentation that still has real hi-fi credibility. The upside is strongest if this one is original, complete, and has documented servicing or a careful owner history, because parts, setup, and plinth quality matter a lot on these decks.
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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