Let me say that this bass range is amazing: powerful to a point that even modern CD players seem a bit shy when compared to it. While the bass of the Rega is usually dry, the one of the Garrard is softer. For example, think of the bass range of a Rega Planar 3: well, the Zero 100 is exactly its opposite. The bass and the mid-bass range are powerful, even if sometimes the lower bass is out of control.
#Garrard zero 100 turntabl full
So you have the feeling of a sometimes big and lazy sound, compact, full bodied and not particularly refined. The Garrard Zero 100 SB is a turntable that imposes its sonic fingerprint :-) to any cartridge: its sound is warm, plenty of bass and softly rooled-off in the mid-to-high range. The interconnects were from Eagle Cable (budget stuff) and the mat was the original, ugly, rubber one. I've also used a modern Gardo cartridge, the ZF 2 model. I've used three different cartridges: two old pick-ups of the same period (the 70s): an ADC 220 XE and a wonderful Excel ES 70 EX.
#Garrard zero 100 turntabl mod
These listening test notes are referred to the turntable after the restoration but before that any mod or tweak was applied. This listening test has been quite long and several different HiFi systems have been used and matched to the Garrard, even one from the Seventies (Galactron MK10B amplifier, Goodmans loudspeakers)!!! Now the Zero 100 SB is playing in my secondary HiFi reference system (a budget one). I hope you've already read the introductory article about this turntable so that I can concentrate on the listening test notes only. Garrard Zero 100 SB turntable Listening test Click for full-size image It looks and sounds great.Garrard Zero 100 SB turntable [ TNT | Who we are | HiFi Shows | Listening tests | Tweakings | All in all about 2 months from purchase to fully refurbished. Then I dropped it, resulting in a motor re build and further spare part surgery. Some cosmetic repairs were necessary, as was attention to bent mechanics and lubrication. I added a new belt and bought a second tatty example for spares. My Zero 100 was bought cheaply from eBay. Even so, the donor was a useful comparison vehicle and I have the peace of mind of having those difficult to get spares in hand. I ended up only using the motor and gimbal surround from the donor turntable. Straightening with pliers solved the problem again. This was another case were transplant would be good, but hard. The impact had bent the joint to the point where the guide was popping out. This is a simple ball and socket joint and should line up. These are unique features of the Zero 100, so it was important that I was able to replace this with an intact donor component. Look at that crack! This is after I had super glued the main break together! This component incorporated the play counter and the magnetic bias system. It seems that the perspex gimbal surround took the brunt of the impact. A pair of pliers successfully straightened the spring and restored correct operation. I could have swapped the parts over, but that’s quite an involved job. Just by comparing the two decks I noted the bent spring on the pickup cam assembly which was preventing the arm from returning to rest properly. That’s a lot of great spares for very little money. I will certainly use this, as I like swapping cartridges from time to time. This deck is definitely one for palliative care only and is therefor a prime donor for transplant surgery on the other deck. Maybe I’ll make a repair stand, or perhaps build a nice wooden plinth like I did for my Dual 505. Even so, I’ll probably use the mounting plate at least. That would explain why it thinks all records are 7″ diameter.
#Garrard zero 100 turntabl free
The circlip on the selector follower is missing and the part is floating free in the chassis. Under the bonnet I can immediately see the reason for the declared fault. It’s cosmetically a bit rough as advertised. The arm looks to be in good condition and returns to it’s rest, unlike mine. Even though I had repaired the original, this one was in better condition. First thing I did was to swap the motors. Zero 100 donorĪs look would have it a Zero 100SB for “spares or repairs” came up on e-bay. There may be even more damage? I’ll soon find out. It’s just as well because I have since noticed that the arm was damaged in the fall. Before setting out on that repair, just in case the damage was terminal, I decided to hedge my bets and look out for a replacement motor or maybe a full turntable for spares. Fortunately I successfully repaired the Synchro lab motor. The most obvious damage was to the motor. I had got it working and was about to re unite it with it’s plinth. My latest acquisition of a splendid vintage Garrard turntable has turned from a simple restoration to something of an epic job.