garrard 301/401 vs thornes 124

[rab32chevell]

Do any of you have any experience with well set up Garrard 301/401 compared with Thornes 124 turntables. I know that for them to sound good they have to have lots of tune-up work and really good plinths. But after that, what are the characteristics of the two?

 

[vinyldonkey]

I can't answer your question complete as I have a 124 and a 301 but both have been under a year plus long up-grade path since I bought them. One thing is clear, both respond to upgrades significantly. Every time I do any modification to either they just sound better; plinth, tonearm, cartridge, whatever. I just started a new plinth for the 124 today (already built one for the 301).

What I do know about my two TT's is: the 301 tends to be slightly sharper, tighter and a bit edgy and the 124 slightly smoother, bigger liquid sounding. These are only very slight differences that could be easily changed with cartridge preferences. Both are very dynamic, have great low end qualities compared to any TT I every owned.

I have yet to have them playing at the same time with relatively equal set-up's to compare. I love listening to each and have enjoyed the process of making the dozens of diy tweaks, because (so far) they all work.

I am sure you could find several hundred other comparison comments besides mine as there are tons of online info (obviously, but just saying) about these tables.

Dan

 

[jeremyjustic]

well I can say that I LOVE my 401, it is a great table. I have heard the 124 and it was a very nice table as well. I think you really couldnt go wrong with either. which one should you get? the first one that comes around for the right price!

 

[Novachord]

Where I live in Surrey, England there was a local supplier that hand built old 301s or 401s decks to order. I chose a 301 as the one I had, had a bit of history as it had come out of a record console at BBC Radio Manchester.

I liked the idea of this 301 blasting out 1960s pop music over Northern England. I guess this deck was taken out when the radio station started to use CDs.

I was told that it was manufactured around 1960.

The cost including the hand held strobe unit was £1700 in 1997, but I reckon it would be more like £4000+ today. Never regretted buying it as I love playing my granddad’s 1920s jazz record collection. It’s nice to play a gramophone record that he listened to almost 100 years ago probably with my granny. Their wedding day 1924, below. My granny and her four sisters made all the dresses.

The Garrard decks are a great piece of what British engineering was like years ago.

 

[T68]

I have no experience so I should keep quiet.
...but: In my view these models are all great and I think the choice comes down to the individual pricing, condition and maybe access to spare parts and local nearby competence in repair and service of the chosen model.