Looking for budget tone arm for Garrard 301

[DJH]

Hi all,

A family member is looking for a replacement tonearm for a Garrard 301. I'm fairly uneducated in this department, but everything I've managed to find so far is far more than he is willing to pay.

To put this into context, he bought the turntable brand new in the 50s when things were a lot cheaper! He's in his 80s and his hearing isn't brilliant, so he feels a high-end SME or Ortofon is a waste. Are there any budget alternatives that I can get for less than £150? You'll have to excuse me if that's a stupid question!

 

[mep]

How about a used Rega RB-250 or RB-300?

 

[Bill Hart]

Do you appreciate that this turntable is fairly valuable these days? There is a whole movement of restoring these things and mounting them in better bases (plinths) and they are sought after for their lively sound.

 

[mep]

Remember, the man is in his 80s and all he wants is a cheap tonearm replacement. The relative that posted can talk him into putting the table in his will if that is what you are driving at Whart.

 

[DJH]

You're spot on mep - I would love to have it and I would definately use it and not sell. Indeed I do appreciate what he has and I've seen restored ones sell for mouth-watering figures

Thanks for the recommendation - very much appreciated. I've found a used Rega 250 at a price I think I can convince him to pay: http://www.hifigear.co.uk/rega-rb250-tonearm.html

Can I just "plug and play" with this, or will it require much work?

 

[Bill Hart]

Remember, the man is in his 80s and all he wants is a cheap tonearm replacement. The relative that posted can talk him into putting the table in his will if that is what you are driving at Whart.

I was actually trying to be a good Samaritan. First time poster, asking about something that he may not appreciate the value of~ although apparently he does.

 

[DJH]

Cheers whart, much appreciated.

PS - what would you do with it in the long-term? It's had no work or replacement parts since new.

 

[Bill Hart]

Cheers whart, much appreciated.

PS - what would you do with it in the long-term? It's had no work or replacement parts since new.

I'm no expert on the 301, i know that the Shindo guys have a bang-up, tweaked version, and there are several others. I think there may be some 301 users on this forum, perhaps do a search? Maybe MEP has some expertise on the table. I remember them from back in the day- they were then (circa mid-70's) regarded as dinosaurs, but as the hi-fi enthusiast movement has advanced, they have revisited alot of vintage pieces and learned what they can do. That table is certainly one of the highly regarded pieces of very useable, very musical vintage gear that is now sought after. That's pretty much the extent of my knowledge. I hope MEP doesn't write me out of his will....

 

[mep]

You're spot on mep - I would love to have it and I would definately use it and not sell. Indeed I do appreciate what he has and I've seen restored ones sell for mouth-watering figures

Thanks for the recommendation - very much appreciated. I've found a used Rega 250 at a price I think I can convince him to pay: http://www.hifigear.co.uk/rega-rb250-tonearm.html

Can I just "plug and play" with this, or will it require much work?

I have no idea what tonearm is currently on the Garrard, but I'm pretty sure you will need to mount the arm according to the instructions from Rega in order for it to work correctly.

 

[DJH]

Thanks for your advice. I'm reasonable confident with electronics, so I'll try to fit it and hope for the best!

 

[mep]

There are people on this forum who have owned the 301 and who have experience with it, but I’m certainly not one of them. I only know of it and therefore I am not qualified to make any recommendations on what you should do with it once it passes into your hands.

 

[JackD201]

I've heard quite a few 301s that matched well with Jelcos.

 

[Dimfer]

I like the idea of matching old table with old arm. For my G401, I have Fidelity Research FR64S and an Audiocraft AC4000 tonearm.

I also have a 3rd arm - an Acos Lustre. Bought this from ebay for $200 4 yrs ago but never had a chance to use it. Supposed to be a very good sounding arm.