Color me impressed- Garrard zero 100

[Carbsandcaps]

I never thought I’d actually drive anywhere to buy a Garrard turntable. Usually I just end up with them with a grab bag of equipment. I saw this one come up for sale for a very reasonable price, did some research and figured I’d see what it’s all about.

The guy said it was all working as far as he knew. He also had the “C” version that he used for his personal use. Had a nice Stanton cartridge with a good needle. I got it home and hooked it up. Sure enough it was all working! I was kind of bummed because I like a challenge but this thing needed nothing. The speed is dead accurate, the automatic feature works perfectly and even the record changer works (although it will drop the second record and then just go back to rest and turn off, might be in the settings). I’m used to direct drive, quartz locked more modern turntables so this is a little off the path for me. Remind me of the old elac miracord but with less clunky controls. The linear tracking is great and I really think adds to the balanced sound. The real wood plinth is gorgeous and the storage cubby for the changer spindle comes in handy. Certainly better quality and simplicity than any dual I’ve owned.

My only complaint is the god awful Garrard dust cover setup. You’d think they would have stepped it up for a top of the line model but at least the whole things comes off so it can be out of sight. Definitely a keeper for me. Just my 2 cents.

 

[GerardG]

I own an identical Zero 100. The dust cover is wonky with its two piece construction but the plinth is beautiful. Right now it's out of my turntable rotation but I will use it again soon.

I've had it cleaned/repaired twice beyond my own work on it. The Garrard does keep speed but I find the changer spindle and automatic features on mine sometimes function perfectly and other times not. It's strange really but I think there are still remnants of 50 year old grease, now more like glue or cement, hiding in it.

It isn't my favourite table but I've had it about ten years and will keep it. For me it's a quirky fun bit of British made kit that I neither love nor hate. Indeed, it somehow reminds me of English sports cars but much less expensive to own.

Now that I'm retired I'll pay more attention to it and work on further cleaning, lubing, and fiddling with it.

Gerard

 

[T68]

Congratulations! Yes the Z100 is a beautiful, cool and great sounding deck.

Just one question looking at the pictures: did the platter come off like that, leaving the center piece on the bearing?

On my Z100 that piece is bolted to the main platter.

 

[gadget73]

Mine is a standard Zero-100. It was gummy but not horribly so. Worked fine after a re-lube.

I think the center can be un-screwed but I never have. When I took mine apart I just pulled the retaining clip and removed the platter with that attached.

 

[Carbsandcaps]

Congratulations! Yes the Z100 is a beautiful, cool and great sounding deck.

Just one question looking at the pictures: did the platter come off like that, leaving the center piece on the bearing?

On my Z100 that piece is bolted to the main platter.

I ended up taking the entire rubber mat off before I realized the center of the mat separates from the rest so you can access the hub screws. If you take the mat all the way off you can separate the multiple pieces of the platter. There’s the platter, then the part the idler rides on, then the center hub.