[GP49000]

The Garrard DD75

During the 1970s, direct drive turntables made the transition from expensive but high-priced components for the audio perfectionist, such as the Technics SP-10, to popular-priced models for domestic hi-fi. At the same time, Garrard was undergoing a major change in its largest market, the USA, as the contract with longtime American representatives British Industries Co. was not renewed. Despite BIC's longtime experience and the largest dealer network in the USA, and regardless of its own inexperience in consumer marketing, Plessey took over sales representation. Going it on their own, Plessey abandoned the long-cultivated "automatic turntable" quality image of Garrard in the USA and openly referred to even the higher-end models in the range, such as the Z2000B, as "changers." Plessey Consumer Products (which actually had only one product: Garrard) even ran an advertisement in American hi-fi magazines claiming that the USA hi-fi buyer's needs would best be met by "a great changer company."

In a full-line sales brochure, Plessey compared the drive systems of modern hi-fi record players. They mentioned only idler drive, the "Rolls-Royce" design which was best for changers; and belt drive, a "sports car" approach which suited single record players. There was no mention of direct drive.

Meanwhile the Japanese were invading home hi-fi with ever cheaper direct drive turntables. Garrard had to do something quickly. In 1976, they found their answer in Japan: the Matsushita direct drive motor. For the first time, Garrard would not build its own motor for a record player. This first Garrard direct drive turntable of the modern era would be called the DD75.

Development proceeded rapidly because the DD75 was built in a new way, for Garrard. There was no unified steel chassis. The modular construction hinted at in the Unimech models (which we haven't discussed yet) and adopted with a vengeance in the GT55 was carried even farther. Everything on the DD75 was built as separate modules: the Matsushita motor; the tonearm with its integral optical automatic trip mechanism; the on-off/strobe illuminator assembly; and the control panel assembly. Interconnection between modules was almost entirely electronic; there were none of the old, familiar steel levers controlling the mechanism. The modules were all mounted on a plinth made of fiberboard and sourced from an outside cabinetmaker. This construction simplified assembly because individual modules could be built and tested on small-scale assembly benches; final assembly was simple and rapid, with relatively few steps compared to the old method of assembling every lever, cam, pawl and gear on a long assembly line: screw the modules to the plinth, connect the wiring harnesses, and the job was essentially done.

The DD75, as was considered normal for direct drive turntables, had two speeds, each one variable by approximately ±3%. With power turned ON, the user selected 33 or 45rpm by a convenient button, adjusted the speed using a knob while reading an illuminated stroboscope, and pushed another button to START the platter. A stubby cueing lever operated the tonearm lift/lower by means of a flexible cable, the only mechanical linkage between modules in the entire unit. The DD75 had automatic stop and tonearm lift, operated by a frictionless sensor which triggered a solenoid that lifted the arm via the cueing cable while the electronics shut down the motor. The auto stop/lift could also be operated manually by pushing a STOP button. In any case the tonearm had to be returned to its rest manually; there was no cycling mechanism.

The tonearm of the DD75 was the only item on the entire unit that was not new. It came from Garrard's parts bin, having been used previously on the 990B. This was a very fine arm, capable of excellent performance. It used the C5 cartridge clip.

At various times in production the DD75 was made in different styles, all of them varying only in the plinth and bearing the same model designation. The first version was totally finished in genuine teakwood veneer, and had the turntable's modular parts mounted on a panel that was elevated above the periphery of the plinth. The second version, which appears most commonly, had a completely flush top in a silvery vinyl laminate, with a woodgrained lower plinth section. The third repeated the raised panel of the teak version but was completely finished in imitation ebony veneer.

The DD75 was reasonably successful for Garrard. It received good reviews in Britain, other than one which regarded it as mediocre. In America it was tested against other turntables by the popular consumer magazine, Consumer Reports; and it was ranked as the top-rated turntable. Toward the end of production it was also somewhat of a bargain, selling at around $100 in America (its original price was around $230). But once production of the DD75 ended, it was really all over. Unlike other Garrard models which had "Mark II" offspring, single/multiple-play variants or related higher/lower priced siblings, or the Autoslim which grandfathered a seemingly countless variety of descendants, or even the 301 transcription turntable from which was derived the 401, the DD75 stands alone. It had no successors at all.

Photos:

Garrard DD75, teak
Garrard DD75, silver
Garrard DD75, ebony
Garrard DD75, teak, tonearm and antiskate detail
Garrard DD75, teak, control panel