Garrard, 401 Idler Drive TT w/Infinity Black Widow Tonearm - Iconic Analog Partnership

Over the last couple of years, there has been quite a buzz in the various online audio forums regarding idler-wheel/rim drive turntables (Garrard 301/401, Lenco, Russco, Rek-O-Cut, etc.). The "Building high-end 'tables cheap at Home Despot" thread on a particular audio forum, which has thousands of replies and still going strong, is one example. The most famous of the idler-wheel turntables, the Garrard 301, in its earliest grease bearing guise, has even attained cult status in Japan. A fully tricked out Shindo grease bearing 301 with vintage arm and cartridge retails for almost US $20,000. What is it about idler-wheel turntables—turntables that have not been made since the '70s, or earlier—that gets people so excited? Well, one look at the spectacular Garrard, 401 offered here and I can emphatically predict, your motor will be a runnin! But alas, this is no ordinary off-the-shelf holy grail 401 configuration, no sir. This fully serviced Garrard 401 w/50hz platter (one thing left to make it perfect) is a killer classic deck. It comes mounted on an Inspire multilevel 4.5" Birch plinth, show stopping Infinity Black Widow 9" arm and Grado Black Cart. Oh and a custom made J Display acrylic breadbox cover. Oh my!!!

The "Black Widow" arm has a very low effective mass, which means that it can be used with very light, high compliance cartridges. The main arm tube is made of graphite fiber, a material which is very light and stiff and appears to have good internal damping of structural resonances. The tonearm's extremely low mass requires pairing with high-compliance cartridges, though some exceptions exist, such as the Grado Reference Platinum or any Grado with appropriately added weight.

Hard to explain how satisfying these old idler drive tables are. This 401 as had a new Eddy Brake pitch control added and keeps perfect time. The Black Widow arm is a prefect mate as these old tables respond exceptionally well to 9"arms and high compliance carts. This is as plug and play as you're ever going to get with a 60yo table. Been searching for that superstar iconic centerpiece for your classic system, THIS IS IT. Do not miss this rare opportunity to purchase a piece of analog audio history in heirloom condition. Just the perfect vintage component. Have yet to come across a better example and knowing it comes from the, yep, Richard K Collection of carefully curated fine audio components, CAN NOT MISS. This was above all, his favorite table.

Come demo this fine piece of audio history here at the Andover shop... we will ship but the table will come completely disassembled for obvious reasons. 

Garrard 401 Idler Drive Turntable w/Infinity Black Widow Arm, Inspire Birch Plinth Grado Cart & J Display Custom Cover - Just incredible: $4,299 plus shipping and sales tax when applicable