Acespaceman
Active Member
Can you expand on this a little bit?
Revisiting the Garrard Zero 100... The right cart makes the difference.
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- garrard zero shure sc35c
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
The Zero 100 tonearm bearings are not able to dissipate the energy of a high mass MC. And the changer mechanism is not ideal for an MC either. The Zero 100 tonearm bearings are not the equivalent of a high mass MC friendly manual tonearm with substantial bearings. This Zero concept would be better executed with today's materials and engineering knowledge as a manual arm.
Too bad as the match would seem good otherwise. I've tried most of the various Shures mentioned on a couple of tables in past and found the sound just too "plonky" to be realistic to my ears. Ok if the goal were a "vintage analogue" sound I suppose and I'm sure there are plenty who would disagree with me. YMMV What about a Nagoaka MP-10? I haven't had mine mounted for a long time and it still recall a bit of that "plonkiness" in the sound, but at least I have one kicking around in good order
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
Yes, the Pickering V 15 is an ideal match to the tonearm, and you can even use the XV 15 with the medium tracking stylus options. The V 15 line and the Stanton 500 sisters are good Garrard friendly options for the Zero 100.
malden
Lunatic Member
The Pickering XV-15 is taller than the V-15 so in terms of proper tracking angle, the XV-15 is not a good match for the Z100 tone-arm.
62vauxhall
Addicted Member
I did not own a Zero 100 when they were current but a friend did and it had an M91ED. Supposedly, that's what they came with from the factory if that's how a dealer (in Canada) ordered them.
My Zero 100's came much later, like the last couple of years. One had a Philips cartridge with a broken Shure stylus stuffed in it and the other I don't think had s cartridge.
I tried an M91 and it was OK but eventually settled on Stanton's - a 681EE in one and a MK V in the other. The same I presume as the previously mentioned Pickering's.
And yes, they are handsome turntables which is why I have two. That and they're too weird for most people and never work right in as found condition so are therefore cheap as hell to buy.
My Zero 100's came much later, like the last couple of years. One had a Philips cartridge with a broken Shure stylus stuffed in it and the other I don't think had s cartridge.
I tried an M91 and it was OK but eventually settled on Stanton's - a 681EE in one and a MK V in the other. The same I presume as the previously mentioned Pickering's.
And yes, they are handsome turntables which is why I have two. That and they're too weird for most people and never work right in as found condition so are therefore cheap as hell to buy.
I do also have a Stanton 500. Which stylus choice would be suitable for the application?
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
The Stanton 500 AL works well here. Pickering has some nicer options which are medium force and changer centric.
Acespaceman
Active Member
I don't know much about Moving Coil carts, but bearings... good bearings don't dissipate energy... Unless you're talking about a fluid film bearing such as those used in the rotating assembly of an automobile engine. Good, tight tollerance bearings should have almost zero damping coefficient. A sloppy bearing would actually have a higher damping coefficient, or energy absorption than that of a superior bearing.
This isn't meant to be antagonistic. I'm simply not understanding the physics that you're trying to explain. For instance... Why is the "engergy of a high mass MC" more difficult to harness than that of a typical MM cart?
Thanks in advance.
malden
Lunatic Member
There are a few things we, as end users can do to optimize the performance of our turntables, such as, matching the cartridge to the tonearm, aligning the cartridge in the horizontal plane and setting the cartridge properly in the vertical plane per the intent of the designer.
malden
Lunatic Member
That's a good point. The brass sliding weight between the pivot and head-shell should be positioned as close to the pivot as possible, using the round counter-weight to adjust the tracking force.
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malden
Lunatic Member
SFBayArch
Super Member
Happy to see this thread and kudos to the OP for starting it. I always felt that the Zero 100 was overly criticized and could be made into a nice turntable with careful consideration for cartridge and stylus selection.
It's a beautiful turntable and I appreciate Garrard's out of the box thinking to put out a panto-graphic arm when no one else was doing it. Despite the Plessey financial R&D handicaps Garrard engineers faced, they put out a more-than serviceable turntable.
Here are a few links from the TNT site that offer tips to make the most of the Zero 100
Garrard Zero 100 SB turntable
History, availability and restoration
Garrard Zero 100 SB turntable
Listening test
Garrard Zero 100 SB turntable
Various Tweaks
Here was mine. It now sits in my father's den.
It's a beautiful turntable and I appreciate Garrard's out of the box thinking to put out a panto-graphic arm when no one else was doing it. Despite the Plessey financial R&D handicaps Garrard engineers faced, they put out a more-than serviceable turntable.
Here are a few links from the TNT site that offer tips to make the most of the Zero 100
Garrard Zero 100 SB turntable
History, availability and restoration
Garrard Zero 100 SB turntable
Listening test
Garrard Zero 100 SB turntable
Various Tweaks
Here was mine. It now sits in my father's den.
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It can't be the mass of a DL-103 that would be a problem as at 8.5g many of the carts being suggested are as heavy or heavier. The aluminum cantilever is as robust as any and I would have thought the conical diamond would have been a good choice and optimum VTA is right where one would want it to be. What else would make it problematic? Not quibbling, just curious....
Acespaceman
Active Member
Thanks for sharing the info... as soon as I finish typing here, I'm going to go read it all.
Before I knew ANYTHING about turntables, I knew I wanted a Zero simply based on looks, and nothing more. After reading about what the design was supposed to do... I knew I HAD to have one. Then after getting one, and it not sounding very good, and then reading all the negative reviews, I wondered if I had made a mistake.
After getting my Zero set up correctly, and matched up with an appropriate Cart / Stylus, and comparing it against all my other tables... I KNOW I made a good choice in buying it, and taking the time to dial it in. Its physical beauty is indeed matched by it quality of sound. I LOVE this thing.
Your father has a very cool den!
malden
Lunatic Member
Can you post the link to this thread?
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
Exactly my thoughts about it. This was a very nice engineering effort by the Garrard engineers. Especially under the cost constraints they faced under Plessey ownership. This was also the last time Garrard had any genuine new innovation which was not focused on cheapening the cost of manufacture and assembly, and the last audiophile grade changer effort other than the 401 they built. Keep a good unfussy medium mass MM or MI on it which works with what is there, (the Shure M 75 EJ being a really fine example), keep it clean, lubricated, and running well, and enjoy it as a fine British example of automatic turntable design art. This was really Garrard's last hurrah.
GerardG
KBO
As the owner of a Garrard Zero 100 I read this thread with interest. I too found running a Shure M75 was a great choice. I also experimented with the M91E with original stylus and that combo seemed to suit my ancient and limited hearing best. I bought my Zero 100 from a thrift and was able to track down the stacking spindle, extra cartridge sleds and a few other pieces from a British EBay vendor who for several years sold Garrard parts for very reasonable prices. I like the sound of the Garrard, adore its looks but because of space limitations seldom use it. I do look forward to the day coming soon I hope that I will have the space to keep it in permanent use.
Gerard
Gerard