do your self a favor and buy a platter and bearing upgrade. At very least do something about the thrust plate. I have a 301 with a newly machined platter and completely new bearing assembly. Total cost was $1500, not cheap but cheaper than some of the options floated here. No contest to the old set up too. The old platter and bearing do have a magic to them, and honestly I missed that at first. But what the original set up can't do is present an lp the way an upgraded bearing can. The bass is way more intricate and defined or tuneful. The old bass was great but a lot more towards the single note variety and not nearly as articulate. Plus the highs have been totally cleaned up, arguably the Achilles heel of the garrard. You can spend the $3000 on a overpriced piece of slate from Oswalds Mill and of course their newly designed super power supply that will surely cost you a few grand too. And remember do all this BEFORE you upgrade the platter and bearing, unless of course they start selling platters and bearings then I think the advice might just include the new platter and bearing as well! good luck.
Platter Upgrade for Garrard 301
I am toying with the idea of upgrading my analog system to the next level up from my VPI scout. I've heard alot of talk about great performance from a Garrard 301 coupled with a upgraded plinth that I could buy from various sources, such as Oswald Mill Audio or Shindo, among others. However, I rarely hear about other upgrades for the Garrard. Isn't the platter a key component that should be a contender for an upgrade? I know Shindo makes such a platter, but they seem to be ultra expensive. There must be a less expensive alternative? Also, what other upgrades should I consider to a Garrard? Thanks, Mark