Garrard 301 Statement SE
Garrard 301 Statement SE
Raising the bar…
A brief history
The design architecture in its modest beginning is based on a factory stock Garrard 301 transcription record player. These British developed idler drives were first introduced in late 1953 and successfully sold some 75,000 plus units during its 12 year production run which lasted through 1965. After a long successful production period, the enormously accomplished Garrard 301 officially retired, immediately thereafter, the Garrard 401 model circa 1965 - 1976 was announced as its official replacement.
First, a donor model 301 is carefully selected, then begins the arduous task of a comprehensive restoration of all linkage, control switches, motor and bearing. Following the itemization of the parts removed, we begin the striping and deep ultra sonic cleaning process and main bearing disassembly/inspection. Factory motors are rebuilt, using refinished/restored internal bushings and re-aligned to factory specifications, then re-lubricated prior to final assembly. Stock factory idler wheels are replaced using modern machined high tolerance idler wheels featuring a special rubber composite outer rim with austenitic stainless steel hub and cnc ground center pin. Either 60Hz and 50Hz precision machined Brass motor spindles are supplied for international compatibility. All new replacement parts used in the rebuild are high tolerance precision machined components built to last a lifetime.
Our Goal
An evolution, once again, designed strictly for achieving the ultimate analog playback capability derived from the renowned English engineered classic idler drive platform. A fundamental approach in lowering center of gravity, achieving increased resolution in addition to drastic reductions in noise and friction is achievable through an inverted type bearing and tiered platter design as seen on our Garrard 301 Statement model. Modern echelon level analog playback front ends routinely feature such bearing topologies for these reasons. Additionally, the mechanical flywheel affect has been improved, as a result speed consistency throughout the operational range solidifies. Although our previous conventional Garrard 301 reference series bearing design was a radical departure and subsequent drastic improvement from stock offerings, the newly redesigned precision bearing and modular platter design takes the resolution, noise floor and channel separation to a whole other level. Each set of hydrodynamic bearings and modular platters are machined using solely state of the art cnc milling machines, designed in collaboration with tribology and hydrodynamics consultants from Purdue University Department of Engineering.
SE Innovation
Years ago, we introduced the world’s first Inverted Modular Bearing and Platter based Architecture and solid billet aircraft Aluminum-Magnesium alloy precision replacement heavy Garrard 301 chassis plate. Now, the Statement SE features an all new and improved design architecture to the forefront, in addition to a new type of proprietary bearing and balanced, internally damped, balanced main platter.
By employing a modular platter architecture, the user may contour the playback characteristics of the Garrard 301 Statement SE to a degree as each upper material selection will allow for a slightly different presentation. upper material selections available: Copper alloy and Inox Stainless Steel.
During the 12 + year production cycle of the English Garrard 301 Transcription turntable, the company opted to employ a variable cast type aluminum based alloy primary chassis plate having undesirable structural coves, pits, pores and recesses. From the manufactures standpoint, this design proved both a cost effective and fairly consistent part to reproduce in quantity. However, using a plain variable casting process such as this means certain structural inconsistencies are simply unavoidable. Over time, these chassis plates may exhibit structural cracking and were known for notorious inconsistencies, primary weak spots in many cases resulting in severe degradation of playback. To remedy this critical engineering weakness and design compromise, with the SE model we have improved upon the Statement series and developed a modified state-of-the-art stress relieved, austenitic Stainless Steel chassis plate possessing superior structural rigidity, zero internal structural voids and ultra high precision measured tolerances. To accompany the newly improved chassis plates, we have designed all new proprietary motor mounts to better aid in vibration control and ancillary control linkage parts, tested and tuned for optimal playback characteristics and integrity. The superior audible playback characteristics gained through these enhancements result in a level of clarity never before imagined with this legendary transcription design.
Precision Engineering
Elimination of stock factory Garrard idler wheel constitutes another engineered design model enhancement. A number of short years ago, we developed a state of the art, precision cnc machined austenitic stainless steel idler wheel with cnc ground center pin measuring zero run-out, physical surface running edge consisting of a molded rubber composite, the very first of its type. For the SE model, we are using an all new, polymer based modular periphery outer drive ring with improved grip. The diameter of the Statement idler wheel matched factory English Garrard specifications to within "0.002. Again, the result translates immediately during first listen, increased clarity, focus and inner resolution across the audible frequency spectrum. In addition to a modern idler wheel design, we have also opted to replace the factory motor spindle pulley with precision cnc machined Marine Brass and austenitic Steel motor pulley variants. Again, through the application of computer aided design, drafting and automation in conjunction with superior metal alloy selections, we were able to achieve superior playback results over stock pulleys. The Garrard 301 Statement SE models additionally feature state of the art, cnc machined Eddy Current Brake Discs fabricated from a solid billet of heat treated, aircraft grade 6061-T651 aluminum. Achieving tight tolerances allow a sheer, slip fit over existing factory Garrard 301 motor spindles with no additional slop, or play. The design ensures accuracy during playback, further minimizing any residual wobble and consequential vibrations from propagating through the flywheel, motor and mechanical facilities.
Instrument net weight 43kgs. ~ 98lbs / 57kgs. ~ 136lbs.
End Game
In a word, refinement, of a legendary established idler drive platform. Using solely the fundamental mechanical design architecture and re engineering a classic transcription turntable like the Garrard 301 requires extraordinary skill, dedication, painstaking attention to details and a level of passion few will ever realize. Our level of commitment is unsurpassed in the area of transforming classic analog playback instruments which have easily stood the test of time into analog record playback devices for the modern era designed to perform at a reference level, in any arena. A small, highly skilled and dedicated team of mechanical engineers, master woodworkers, designers, finishers, visionaries and artisans are who we are, producing the worlds finest modern classics, hand crafted, individually tuned by ear and precision engineered to last a lifetime. The word masterpiece truly defines the quality and musicality of our latest reference Garrard plinth, which is a feast for both the eyes and the ears. After extensive Garrard 301 plinth prototyping phases, we arrived at the place we are today which once not far in the past, was only several hand drawn sketches, a concept and a dream. Our small, highly skilled team of third generation master woodworkers, precision machinists and my own individual creative design concepts made the dream possible and the results, well, the results are nothing short of magnificent.