Turntables, Arms & Cartridges

Remarkably, the first iteration of Garrard's 301 'transcription motor' saw the light of day in 1954, some two years before the world's oldest hi-fi magazine (the one in your hands...) was launched. Our first review of the 301 appeared in HFN Oct '58, the original cover and first three equipment pages pictured above. The 301 featured again in HFN Nov '95 [above right] albeit in 'Loricraft' guise with custom plinth and Perspex lid. In a sign of the times, our 1958 review, penned by Ralph West, made no mention of sound quality although his description of the deck, motor and proof of concept was very thorough under the heading 'A First Class Instrument'. Comparing the 301 to other decks of the period, Ralph says, 'they use relatively small motors and [bearing] friction is kept down to a minimum... The 301 uses a very large motor, and friction is deliberately added in the centre spindle by the use of a fairly heavy grease. Because of this the motor is relatively immune to changes in load conditions and wear over very long periods without attention'. Even today, Garrard enthusiasts debate whether the 301 sounds better with a grease or oil-charged bearing! PM