gonna be idlin soon!

[malvai]

Guys, after a very long search I finally found the idler that I really wanted on my rack - a Garrard 401 - in Near Mint condition!

I did have to pay a LOT for it, but in the end it is worth it!

Will put up the pics soon!

Now, despite it being in a NM state, I am still gonna go ahead and tweak the bearing, the springs and the idler wheel itself...

I did manage to persuade the gentleman to part with a SME tonearm. dunno which version it is, but it has a fixed headshell. My guess is that it is a S1. I do hope this one can take on a Denon DL 103 cart ...

But, more later! I promise to keep you all updated!

 

[musicbee]

Now if I can only understand what an idler is???

 

[jls001]

Congrats!!!!!

Do post pics soon. 401s have become very pricey creatures, especially if they are in good condition. So one must just buy it. You do have a knack for ferretting out great vintage stuff. Do read up Analog Dept posts on how to do what you are planning to do. I'm sure the resident idlers, namely, G401fan, Rajiv and stevieboy, will be able to answer most of your questions. These three gentlemen are collectively the walking, talking and posting encyclopedias on all things idlers and 3009 tonearms. I have picked their brains in the past All very helpful gentlemen.

 

[stevieboy]

Congrats malvai!

My mind is elsewhere but fixed headshell most prob is the series II improved SME, it seems to be the most common in india, the series II non improved does go for a bit more on ebay, if improved, then no heavy carts like the denon unfortunately.

Will await pics!

Edit: effective mass would be around 9gm versus the headshell version improved series II 3009s which would be in the 12 gm range, so high compliance carts like the v15. Someone will surely have some regrets now eh?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dr.Bass]

Nice one Malvai !
Just one curious question, why not a 301 ?

 

[kuruvilajacob]

Congrats on getting a 401. Keep posting on mods. I recently got a Goldring Lenco L-75 with original arm in mint condition and I am going to tweak it a bit,I am looking for a SME arm to replace the original. I will also change the plinth as I successfully did on my 301.
Regds
Kuruvila

 

[Hiten]

wow great purchase manav bro. A classic TT :licklips:
offtopic : Me too looking for VFM classic TT (Dual 1219 etc.) without tonearm for DIY, have been searching ebays since few weeks but no luck.
Regards

 

[malvai]

Nice one Malvai !
Just one curious question, why not a 301 ?

The 401 has a much better motor. its built better. though, looks wiese i too prefer the 301.... the 401 is a better deck on all other counts!

 

[malvai]

Congrats on getting a 401. Keep posting on mods. I recently got a Goldring Lenco L-75 with original arm in mint condition and I am going to tweak it a bit,I am looking for a SME arm to replace the original. I will also change the plinth as I successfully did on my 301.
Regds
Kuruvila

i will be getting a Goldring L75 as well! soon!

 

[malvai]

Here are some pics (sorry for the image quality, as these were takn at night - less light conditions, on a BB phone!)





and here is one of the innards! pretty pristine, i'd say!

 

[sachu888]

Congrats malvai! :clapping:
Great find,keep us posted

Regards,
Sachin

 

[soulforged]

Congrats Malvai...please keep us posted on the tweaks...

With such raves about idlers on this forum, methinks me should do something about the Garrard SP25 lying 'idle' in my house...not in the 301-401 league though...will open a thread and post pics soon

 

[santhosh]

Congrats Manav on the 401. Happy idling

 

[reubensm]

Congrats Manav, great find and that too, in such pristine condition. Agree with your observation in relation to the better motor on the 401. Keep us posted on the tweeks.

 

[malvai]

now looking for a good 12" arm option.... once i get the arm, will get into building a slate plinth (will use indian slate stone or sandstone!)

 

[G401fan]

Congrats, Malvai. A 401 goes on forever.

The fixed headshell 3009 has an effective mass of just 6 gms, which makes it unsuitable for the Denon 103. A 12 incher would be just the right thing. All the best for finding one.

regards,

 

[AMITNOIDA]

You are enviable Manav. Got Garard 401 in pristine condition and also going to get a Goldring L75. Wow. Congrats.

 

[heliumflight]

Malvai = Vinyl man

When can I come over?

 

[hemantwaghe]

Paaji congrats...
I think when I can come to Delhi???

MIssing you from Mumbai and mising thaose "knowledge sesions" filled with hi- fi talk, vinyl auditions and booze!!

 

[stevieboy]

Congrats, Malvai. A 401 goes on forever.

The fixed headshell 3009 has an effective mass of just 6 gms,

regards,

G401 fan,

I have an SME leaflet which puts it at 9.5 and the one with detachable headshell at 12.5 gm. The analogue-classics site has it listed at 6 in their table, but there's the same double sided leaflet scanned and put up further down the page, which lists the weight at 9.5. Unless the leaflet was a misprint?

Regards

Edit: Also my series II 3009 which is non improved is 12.5 gm and the 3012 is 14 gm, which is how I remembered the weights, since both 3009s are same except for the nylon bearing and that plastic attachment thingie after the yoke