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Garrard Type A II

doctorb

doctorb

New Member
Garrard Type A II

I stumbled onto this turntable yesterday and am not sure if it's worth trying to rebuild or not. From what I can gather Garrard made some highly sought after tables, but this isn't one of them. :) So, is there a market for these?

More pics here

I've got a vintage hifi setup that this could potentially pair well with, does anyone use one of these as their main/secondary table?
How does it sound?

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If in proper running order, they are decent tables.
No where near the performance of a modern table, but might make a great companion to other vintage components.
 
Celt said:
If in proper running order, they are decent tables.
No where near the performance of a modern table, but might make a great companion to other vintage components.
Click to expand...
I think the idler wheel was still engaged when they put the table into storage, it's got a little dent in one spot which make for an audible knock as the platter spins. I've got a Dual 1219 that is dead quiet when running, I've got some work ahead of me if I want this table to compete.
 
Send the idler wheel to one of the few folks mentioned on these forums who re-rubber them.

Then, I recommended finding something like a Shure M3D cartridge and have a good time listening to your old LPs.
 
Go for It

A member with a Fisher 800B upgraded to the hilt says the Garrard type A outperformed his AR XA sonically. The Fisher 800B has an improved phono section among other items so they can clearly hear the differences.
 
For a vintage set up, they are a good table. Kinda clunky but well made. As far as beating an ARXA, hmmm. Mine was hooked up into a 1948 Scott 800B so sonically it was hard to tell how good it really was. Made that old Scott sing though.
 
I also have mine in a 1947 Scott. I havent gotten around to rebuilding the phono amp but I'll get there eventually. Its a nice machine, but its not super high end. Its great for 78's or older records, and its very cool to watch in operation. Its not overly hard to rebuild, and when running its a very reliable machine. Its not going to run at very low tracking forces, but it should do just fine at 3-5 grams. I run a Stanton 680e.V3 "DJ" cartridge in mine, but anything that runs at similar tracking weight will do the trick.
 
Yeah, Sony's talking about a Garrard Type A I just picked up. The synergy between the 800B he performed his magic on and this table, including the original Wharfedale W60 I've got it hooked up to is just amazing. The cart is an R25XT with a replacement Shure 3X elliptical (not hyperelliptical) stylus I got at LP Gear.

I've only been listening to things for the last couple of days, and I'm still fiddling with the tracking (it has a spring mechanism on the arm that has to be used in concert with the counterweight in the back), but on some older Sinatra on Columbia recordings and a few other older records that I've played so far, the presence and bloom is just stunning. I've heard that the forte of this table might be for the older vinyl, and I think the tracking has to be slightly heavier. The Shure M3D is supposed to work sublimely with the Type A. Apparently with a conical stylus, you can track heavier in that the stylus, because of its shape, doesn't dig too heavily into the grooves and the higher track force won't damage your records. Also, I believe, many older record's grooves were wider to begin with.

As far as comparing the Type A to my AR XB, I would have to say on these older recordings, there was a definite improvement in the sound. I heard a couple of more modern recordings that that was not the case. Although some of my newer records sound great too. I think the synergy between the different early components, is at play here. When listening, I kind of had a feeling of being transported back in time, being given the chance to hear what people back then heard. And their civilization was pretty advanced!

I would say to doctorb - give it a shot!
 
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I believe the Garrard typically requires a higher tracking weight, and that will definitely influence the sound. Of course, you need to be careful about how fast you add noticeable record wear. The Garrard is probably also better suited as a drop-in, console installation. Any installation of the AR table will be more difficult because of the plinth or will be compromised without it.
 
Thanks everyone for your responses, it's given me lots of insight into this particular table. I'm going to hang onto it for a bit with the hopes of restoring it in the near future.
Cheers!
 
jgannon said:
@doctor - Between the Garrard and that Bogen amp, I'd say you had a pretty good weekend!
Click to expand...
It was a pretty decent pick! I'm learning a lot about these old pieces, so much to learn! The Bogen will get the bulk of my attention for the moment.
 
Hi folks,I have been reading the many post about this Garrard type a2 TT and I just picked one up myself.It seems that the TT is an ok piece to use with a vintage system.I do have a question about the one I have.This TT was obviously pulled from a console and has a 4 prong round plug on it with 3 wires attached to it,does anyone out there in audio land have any idea about the wires on this thing?I have no clue which 2 wires to add a plug end to.any help would be greatly appreciated.you folks have a great day.
 
I have a Garrard type a2 turntable & a Type a that you can adjust the platter, but the a2 you can't/ How can I get it balanced correctly?
 
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