Garrard 301 Advanced Painted APR Plinth with SME M2-12R Tonearm

The Garrard 301 Advanced is a reference-level interpretation of the legendary Garrard 301 transcription turntable, combining the meticulously restored 301 motor unit with an advanced Advanced Polymer Resin (APR) plinth and an SME M2-12R precision tonearm. Designed and built with close attention to mechanical accuracy, the 301 Advanced retains the distinctive Garrard rim-drive architecture while introducing a highly rigid, acoustically inert plinth and sophisticated isolation system.

Key Features

Garrard 301 Advanced transcription turntable.
Advanced Polymer Resin (APR) high-density plinth.
Acoustically inert plinth construction with near-zero resonance.
SME M2-12R 12-inch precision tonearm.
Rim-driven high-mass platter.
33⅓, 45 and 78 RPM playback.
Fine speed adjustment across all three speeds.
Spring-suspended and magnetically screened induction motor.
Plinth motor-board isolation system.
Fully adjustable de-coupled isolation feet.
Adjustable tonearm mounting base.
Crystal Cable internal wiring.
WBT RCA connectors.
Authentic period paint finish on the 301 chassis.
Original Garrard rubber-compound platter mat.
Customisable painted APR plinth finish.

Garrard 301 Drive System

The 301 Advanced retains the distinctive rim-drive architecture of the Garrard 301. Its high-mass platter is driven by an induction motor that is spring suspended and magnetically screened. The motor system is designed to preserve the characteristic mechanical drive and speed stability of the original 301 while being rebuilt to modern standards.

Drive Method	Rim Drive / Idler Drive
Motor	Induction Motor
Motor Suspension	Spring Suspended
Magnetic Shielding	Yes
Playback Speeds	33⅓ RPM / 45 RPM / 78 RPM
Speed Adjustment	Fine Adjustment Across All Three Speeds

High-Mass Platter

The turntable incorporates a high-mass, accurately balanced platter driven around its rim by the Garrard drive system. The original-style rubber-compound platter mat provides the contact surface between the record and platter while preserving the intended mechanical characteristics of the 301 design.

Platter Type	High-Mass, Accurately Balanced
Drive	Rim Driven
Platter Mat	Original Rubber Compound

SME M2-12R Precision Tonearm

The SME M2-12R is a 12-inch precision tonearm designed to minimise tracking error and provide a rigid, accurately adjustable platform for cartridge alignment. Its traditional J-shaped design incorporates a detachable aluminium headshell with azimuth adjustment, a two-stage tungsten counterbalance system and height adjustment through a thumb wheel.

Tonearm Model	SME M2-12R
Arm Type	12-Inch J-Shaped Precision Tonearm
Headshell	Detachable Aluminium
Headshell Adjustment	Azimuth Adjustable
Counterbalance	Two-Stage Tungsten
Height Adjustment	Thumb-Wheel Adjustment
Bearing System	Precision Ball-Race Bearings
Cartridge Compatibility	Wide Range of Cartridges

Advanced Polymer Resin Plinth

The defining feature of the 301 Advanced is its Advanced Polymer Resin (APR) plinth. The high-density material is designed to be acoustically inert, providing a rigid foundation with extremely low resonance. The plinth incorporates a dedicated motor-board isolation system to mechanically separate the motor assembly from the main structure.

Plinth Material	Advanced Polymer Resin (APR)
Material Characteristic	High Density / Acoustically Inert
Resonance	Near-Zero Resonance Design
Finish	Painted / Custom RAL Colour Available
Motor Board	Isolated from Plinth

Isolation System

The 301 Advanced uses a dedicated isolation system designed to control mechanical energy within the turntable structure. The plinth motor-board isolation system works together with de-coupled, fully adjustable feet to provide a stable platform for the platter and tonearm.

Motor Board Isolation	Integrated
Feet	De-Coupled Isolation Feet
Feet Adjustment	Fully Adjustable
Footprint	507 × 344 mm

Internal Wiring & Connections

The 301 Advanced is fitted with Crystal Cable internal wiring and WBT RCA connectors. The SME tonearm is integrated into the turntable through an adjustable mounting base that can be configured for damped or fixed positioning.

Internal Wiring	Crystal Cable
Output Connectors	WBT RCA
Tonearm Mounting Base	Adjustable
Mounting Configuration	Dampened or Fixed

Speed & Performance

The Garrard 301 Advanced supports the three traditional transcription speeds and provides fine speed adjustment for each. Its motor, platter and mechanical drive system are designed to maintain stable rotational performance while retaining the distinctive characteristics of the Garrard 301 platform.

Wow	Less Than 0.2%
Flutter	Less Than 0.05%
Speed Range – 33⅓ RPM	33–34 RPM
Speed Range – 45 RPM	44–46 RPM
Speed Range – 78 RPM	76–80 RPM

Power Requirements

The 301 Advanced motor is designed for dual-range mains operation. The appropriate motor pulley configuration determines operation for either 50 Hz or 60 Hz power systems.

Voltage Range	100–130 V / 200–250 V
Frequency	50 Hz / 60 Hz
Power Consumption	16 W

Dimensions & Weight

Width	563 mm / 56.3 cm
Depth	400 mm / 40 cm
Height	208 mm / 20.8 cm
Feet Footprint	507 × 344 mm
Product Weight	22.85 kg

Included Configuration

Garrard 301 Advanced Motor Unit
Advanced Polymer Resin (APR) Painted Plinth
SME M2-12R Precision Tonearm
High-Mass Rim-Driven Platter
Original Rubber-Compound Platter Mat
Crystal Cable Internal Wiring
WBT RCA Connectors
Adjustable Tonearm Mounting Base
De-Coupled Adjustable Isolation Feet

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