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Re: Garrard 301 grease (vs) oil bearing models?

I have a grease lubed 301, an oil lubed 401 and a Lenco 88 (L75 without an arm). Rumble isn't an issue with any of these units if they are serviced and mounted properly - but they ain't as silent as a VERY GOOD belt drive. Officially the 401 measures less rumble than a 301 as the 301 was considered a Mono unit, the 401 a Stereo one. The main bearing on most 301s is packed with grease for lubrication. I guess that Garrard evolved the 301 with decor updates and eventually looked to improve the performance by changing to an oil lubed main bearing or was it cost cutting? The 401 was essentially a cosmetic exercise with the addition of that very useful strobe light.

The Lencos are very good decks and I wouldn't part with mine. But the Garrards deliver bass and cohesion that belt drives can only dream of. They are not quite as crisp in the treble department, only the new Garrard 501 does that, I heard one some years ago.

Oil or grease bearing? Does it matter? Get a good 301/401, service it, get a good arm or cartridge and play music.

I play 78s and vinyl and the 301 and 401 are permanently set up side by side. They are equals and I won't sell either. Every record I play from a 1900 Berliner to the latest Hard-Fi LP is delivered with fearless authority. They are the best record players, and replaced a Pink Triangle and Fons CQ30.

Took the 401 to an amplifier audition last year. It had a Shure M44 cartridge for playing 78s. At the audition room they had a Nottingham Analogue Belt Drive and Music Maker Cartidge. I played the 78s on the 401, and my LPs on the Nottingham Deck. I put a cheap M44-7 stylus in the 401 and played the LPs again. It lost out on detail and "space" but for overall sound the 401 was the deck we preferred. With a good modern cartidge there would have been no contest. At home the 301 has a Michell Technoarm (Modded Rega RB250) and Ortofon MC25FL.

This may not answer your question as you hoped, I wouldn't worry too much over the bearing type, all that matters is that it works OK. Good luck.



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