Got my first turntable every and I'm stoked! Now, what do I have?

The DD sold new for 200 List, back in 1980. This is where a good entry level table was positioned. There were cheaper ones available. So the DD is a decent step into vinyl.

The Zero was a top offering by Garrard in the mid-70s. This one will need some serious mechanical clean up of all the old, dried grease.

You also got two cartridges with styli. Looks like an Empire and a Shure. Both decent but the condition of the stylus needs to be determined. Both tables can use either cartridge so if one has a bent stylus, you can use the other one.

I'd clean up the DD, grab the exploded parts view and the manual for the DD75 (there isn't one for the 132) and use that manual to set up the 132. Most any basic turntable manual will walk you through setting it up and with the DD, not knowing how to align the cartridge, I would get one of the protractors off VE and use that to position the cartridge.

I'll stop here so you can grab the documents and get a handle on this before you ask a few questions about what you want to do next. If you can find model numbers on the cartridges (2000 on the bottom of the Empire, green stylus is a 2000E/I, can't tell about the Shure) you can find that info in the library at VE or in the database (switch to cartridge db on that page) to fine tracking force.

As to value, any good, decent working tt with a good dust cover is worth a c-note these days and it is going up by the hour. You say the DD works...the 100 will take work but might be great. a c-note gift for the twins would be well received. But folks will tell you that you can find these DD type tables on CL for much less which is true but you have to find it not have it delivered trunk to trunk from a friend.
 
Sweet, just downloaded the parts catalog and exploded view for the DD132,theyvhave one now on VE and I got the owners manual for the 100C. Man you guys rock! Literally and theoretically....
 
I don't buy many used carts, but my rule of thumb is to always replace the stylus. You need a good stylus microscope and an understanding of what to look for. A damaged or worn stylus can do permanent harm to a record. It's just not worth the risk.

It may be cheaper to get a good entry level cart ($70-$80) than a replacement stylus.

The DD, with it's standard headshell, will be easier to get running and properly set up. Get it going first.

As far as receivers go, a lot of people will point you to vintage, but that's another can of worms unless you know what to look for or find one at a garage sale or CL. I suggest a new receiver, something like this:hhttp://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX8020-TX-8020-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B00EE18O7W/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1417638783&sr=8-4&keywords=stereo+receiver

For speakers, you could look at internet direct, such as SVS, Hsu or Ascend. I have Ascend speakers in my dedicated home theater (with an SVS sub) and they sound great. Look at the 170's, they are killer speakers for the price.
 
The Garrard DD132 is from the late 70s & was made in Japan by C.E.C. for Garrard.
I can see 2 issues with the arm on the Zero 100 & may require some work to get going.
I would clean the DD132 & replace the cartridge with a Grado Prestege Black but , before doing this, check both 33 & 45 speed stability with the strobe. If all ok, then enjoy.
 
Wow, ok, thank y'all so much. Very valuble information here. I was wondering if if should plug them in and turn them in, to see if they spin, or check for dried bearing grease first.
 
Here's a close up of the Zero's needle....

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The DD132 has power... I tried to get the arm to move to the platter, but it goes up, then moves the other way just a little, then sets itself back down to the holder it rests on.

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Here's it's needle...

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But gifts are gifts, and whatever you "give" for it should be in the same spirit. You want to help them out, and you know what your resources are, and its not really a question of monetary value you know? Friends are friends for a reason that transcends money.

Regards
Mister Pig

When you get right down to it, pigs are pretty smart and, in the spirit of the above, I'd suggest not worrying about monetary values. Your friends' generosity isn't really about money gut friendship. Accordingly, I'd be thinking about a special gift to them on the occasion of their twins' birth, something from the heart instead of from the wallet.

John
 
Yes we were already buying them somthing special for the kiddos. He's also a beer conosoir, so I have some special planed for that as well.

So does the Zero look fixable?
 
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You need to operate all the knobs on the DD. Try to move to each defined switch position. Then set it on Man, and with a record on the platter, use the cuing to lift the tonearm, all after verifying the tracking force, and set the needle on the outer groove to play a record.

You may have the man auto, off switch in a position that causes the tt to just cycle the arm when turned on. All these probably need a shot of very light lube, sewing machine oil but you can open up the bottom of the table and have a look.

If the table spun at the right speeds, the rest is just easy clean up, lubrication and adjustment to get it working right.

I don't know the Zero but someone will have some info.
 
The problem with the arm on the 132 is easily fixed. Under the platter you'll see a gearing system that operates the decks auto functions , these are out of synch.
It is a good turntable & with a new cartridge, and a good clean & lube you're done :music:
The Zero 100 , on the other hand , is a very different story:sigh:
 
I'm not a Garrard fan, but have done a rethink on the Zero 100 turntables, they have some good features. The DD comes from a time Garrard were in terminal decline, so I'd certainly get it going, but put effort (and money) into the other turntable once you have the time.

As to matching components - they're Brtitsh turntables, so go British, at least for speakers. Celestion or older KEFs would be my choice. My amp choice would be NAD, followed by NAD, again from the same era as the Garrards.
 
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