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GARRARD 401:A vintage and truly classic British-made turntableItem DescriptionReleased in Britain in 1965 as a follow-up to the now-legendary Garrard 301, the Garrard 401 is an idler drive turntable that remains highly sought-after by audiophiles and collectors alike. The turntable features a large motor that drives an idler, This mechanism is known for its reliability and is still praised by turntable fans around the world. The base is die-cast aluminum, offering a highly robust feel. By its high quality of construction and design, the 401 provides excellent performance, with low wow and flutter and low rumble. Many people say that a Garrard 401 is made superb by a great plinth. Overall, the whole thing is stunning. This is a legendary vintage turntable, and one in excellent condition is a rare find. This turntable comes with SME3009 Tonearm.This turntable is in Very Good condition, with a few feeling of use overall (see photos), including some scratches and scuffs on the surface (Please see the pictures). The unit has been thoroughly checked and tested by our professional technician. Additional InformationTechnical SpecificationsSerial : 5918Country/Region of Manufacture : UKPower Supply : 100V 12W 50/60 Hz Accessories -Headshell / Cartridge-Dust Cover-Rubber mat-Hinges-45 adopterCartridge & Headshell PolicyCartridge and styluses are free gifts, so we don't accept returns or refunds for damage of cartridges and styluses.Dust Cover PolicyThough it is unlikely to happen due to our meticulous packaging procedures, turntable dust covers do occasionally break in transit. The dust cover should therefore be treated as a free gift.Transit 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.
Garrard 401 Turntable – USD $2,000
Is the Garrard 401 worth USD $2,000 to you right now? This asking price sits squarely at the median of comparable listings (USD $1,923), putting it fair-market. The Garrard 401 is a genuinely sought vintage direct-drive table—solid engineering, low wow-and-flutter, and they hold value. You're not overpaying, but you're not getting a steal either. If condition is truly unknown as listed, that's your real risk; a USD $2,000 ask assumes good working order and cosmetics. Check whether the seller has actually tested it under load, or if this is a blind listing.
Before committing, verify the motor runs smoothly without noise or drag, and confirm the platter spins at correct speed (33⅓ and 45 RPM). Listen for rumble. The tonearm should move freely; stuck or bent arms are common on 50+ year-old decks and expensive to repair. Ask if the original dust cover, feet, and any documentation come with it—these matter for value. A Garrard 401 in true working condition justifies USD $2,000; a cosmetic restoration project does not.
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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