Garrard 401 + Permali SME 2000 plinth. Mounting.

[samjmann]

Anyone fitted these two together?

I've been fitting this 401 that's in excellent condition to a Permali plinth to of SME 2000 plinth design.

The deck itself sits on the top board which in turn is supported on 4 springs. These have adjusters to trim the height of the suspended deck/board.

The suspension system does seem rather basic. If the deck is pressed the springs rub against the die-cast cups that are attached to the main body of the plinth. The adjusters have all been lubricated, and a small smear of grease applied to the springs to allow movement in the cups.

The springs clang against the cups and the deck doesn't float very well. There are many 401's that are solid mounted I know.

The new plinth is very heavy and rigid. It is well made.

Any thoughts or comments most welcome. SJM.

[Beobloke]

Ditch the springs.

301s and 401s work best when in a rigid and heavy plinth, IMHO. Suspensions do them no favours at all.

[wd40addict]

I'd compare rumble level floated Vs solid, I suspect the latter will win, but you never know.

FWIW when I was first playing about with plinths for my 301 I initially used an 18mm MDF top plate, changing this to 25mm definitely dropped the noise level.

I then fitted the finished plinth with sorbothane feet to offer some isolation from the cabinet it stands on. Plinth is solid, springs were not used I suspect this is a hangover from autochanger type thinking and people putting these decks into Heals and Largs radiogram style cabinets.

[stevehertz]

No springs. The 401 deck is made to be supported on a strong wooden plinth. I have also damped mine using bituminous damping panels.

[Analogue man]

I agree a solid plinth is the way to go.

[samjmann]

Thanks all for the replies.

I had a feeling solid was the way with this. The springs lift the top-board by about 30mm. If they're removed the top will sit on the corner supports and the transit plate hits the bottom cover!

So I'll have to see what can be done in this respect to lift up the top board.

Regards, SJM.

[Ted Kendall]

Originally Posted by Beobloke

Ditch the springs.

301s and 401s work best when in a rigid and heavy plinth, IMHO. Suspensions do them no favours at all.

I agree. When Dad mounted his 301 as suggested in the manual, using the Garrard springs, it rumbled, was bouncy and prone to acoustic feedback. Mounting solidly to as large a mass as reasonably possible is the way to go with these.

[Craig Sawyers]

FWIW I use one of these for my 401/SMEIV

https://www.peakhifi.co.uk/cgi-bin/ecom.cgi?Command=ShowProduct&db_pid=774

Cheap it is not. But as compared with the cost of the deck/arm/cartridge, perhaps not ridiculously expensive.

Than I bought the lid and hinges to stop the cat from taking too much interest in a spinning disc...

There is no perceptible rumble at all.

Craig

[analogadikt]

Originally Posted by samjmann

Anyone fitted these two together?

I've been fitting this 401 that's in excellent condition to a Permali plinth to of SME 2000 plinth design.

The deck itself sits on the top board which in turn is supported on 4 springs. These have adjusters to trim the height of the suspended deck/board.

The suspension system does seem rather basic. If the deck is pressed the springs rub against the die-cast cups that are attached to the main body of the plinth. The adjusters have all been lubricated, and a small smear of grease applied to the springs to allow movement in the cups.

The springs clang against the cups and the deck doesn't float very well. There are many 401's that are solid mounted I know.

The new plinth is very heavy and rigid. It is well made.

Any thoughts or comments most welcome. SJM.

Some photos of the plinth shall help. I agree with suggestions to ditch the springs. Could you share from where you sourced the plinth?

Regards,

[samjmann]

Here's a few photos of the plinth. You can see the corner blocks I've added to lift the top board. I'll fit a layer if anti- vibration tape to the block tops.
With the deck in place this is all very heavy!

Anwesh: The plinth was a special order. If you're really interested, send me a PM and I can give you more details.

SJM.

[analogadikt]

Originally Posted by samjmann

Here's a few photos of the plinth. Y

Anwesh: The plinth was a special order. If you're really interested, send me a PM and I can give you more details.

SJM.

Hi!

I have sent a pm to you a few days ago. Have you seen it?

Regards,

[Cobaltblue]

Originally Posted by analogadikt

Hi!

I have sent a pm to you a few days ago. Have you seen it?

Regards,

The OP has not logged in since the 4th November so he will not have seen it yet.

Cheers

Mike T

[qualityten]

Looking at your plinth, I suggest you try it with squash balls in each of the corners, resting in the hole illustrated in your first pic. I have found this sounds best with my 301 and 401. I have tried other arrangements, but prefer the top board being supported in this way. Using various SME 3009 tonearms.

[samjmann]

Thanks for the advice qualityten. May well try it and see.

analogadikt: Sorry, have been very busy recently, just seen your message today. I'll get the details and send you a PM.

SJM.

[samjmann]

Here's a few pictures of the assembled deck.

Just the re-polish of the original lid to do now.

It really is heavy. 8mm thread bolted feet are for the base

SJM.