The Return of Garrard!

[jeff1225]

We get it, you real like your Artisan Fidelity deck, we tend to like what we have spent a lot of money on.

 

[ferrari275]

We get it, you real like your Artisan Fidelity deck, we tend to like what we have spent a lot of money on.

Kind sir, with due respect, my sentiments have nothing whatsoever to do with monetary expenditure. After all, this is the What's Best Form and we as members clearly all have refined tastes. In my view, build quality and analog playback satisfaction are fundamental, no matter the table chosen, however, the focus here was on Garrard. Although different beasts, I share a similar fondness about my current belt drives and direct drive which are derived from different generations, and all have unique merit. During the course of my personal audio journey, I am not ashamed to admit I've spent far more on less gratifying high end audio components at times over the past several decades, more than once in fact.

I chalk it up to apart of the journey!

 

[ferrari275]

Shindo 301 ($25,000) underside craftsmanship. Quite sad. This was the only point I was trying to make.

 

[BruceD]

Shindo 301 ($25,000) underside craftsmanship. Quite sad. This was the only point I was trying to make.




View attachment 53180

Oh dear!--Well I've owned two Shindo TT's and mine were not quite as bad as that--my second one was much cleaner-they must have got their act together--
I notice some changes to the engine room from your one pictured--is it a very early production run? plus my Plinths were sealed bottoms.
Yes I agree couple of Ken's "Mods" to the 301 were questionable( allowing the Baked semi stipple finish to cover the inner platter drive surface)
the Deck did produce some memorable playback.

BruceD

 

[jeff1225]

Shindo 301 ($25,000) underside craftsmanship. Quite sad. This was the only point I was trying to make.




View attachment 53180

Yes you like your AF....we get it.

 

[ferrari275]

BruceD

Oh dear!--Well I've owned two Shindo TT's and mine were not quite as bad as that--my second one was much cleaner-they must have got their act together--
I notice some changes to the engine room from your one pictured--is it a very early production run? plus my Plinths were sealed bottoms.
Yes I agree couple of Ken's "Mods" to the 301 were questionable( allowing the Baked semi stipple finish to cover the inner platter drive surface)
the Deck did produce some memorable playback.

Relieved to hear Shindo's quality process apparently improved over the years....to be quite honest, the circa of their 301 shown I cannot recall offhand. I agree, hammerite grey paint finish applied to a platters inner running surface where the idler wheel engages makes little sense. If I recall correctly, that type of coating typically has a rather uneven surface.

 

[BruceD]

BruceD




Relieved to hear Shindo's quality process apparently improved over the years....to be quite honest, the circa of their 301 shown I cannot recall offhand. I agree, hammerite grey paint finish applied to a platters inner running surface where the idler wheel engages makes little sense. If I recall correctly, that type of coating typically has a rather uneven surface.

I've held my tongue on this until now but as i no longer have a horse in the Shindo race ---the dappled finish on the platter that extends to the inner rim was viewed as a big mistake by Terry O'Sullivan of Loricraft and Bob Mortimer( who's father designed the 301).

I sent my Platters to them for refinishing of the inner surface--the sonic result was not subtle.

BruceD