Garrard SRP10
A transportable record player from the mid-1960s with four-speed playback, built-in tube amplifier, and speaker in a suitcase-style enclosure.
Overview
The Garrard SRP10 is a portable turntable unit designed for self-contained playback, featuring a built-in loudspeaker in the lid and a tube amplifier. It was marketed under various names including "Transportable Record Player," "Plattenspieler-Koffer," and "Smart," and was sold as part of systems like the "Arena Record Player." Production is estimated around 1963–1965, based on catalog listings. The unit includes a governed commutator motor and an aluminum pickup arm with a speed change knob interlocked to the pickup arm switch mechanism. It supports four playback speeds and operates on 200/250 volts, with a battery-powered version also available.
Specifications
| Speeds | 4 speed |
| Voltage | 200/250 Volt |
| Power version | battery version |
| Net weight | 4.172 kg / 9 lb 3 oz |
Design
The SRP10 is constructed as a suitcase-style transportable record player with a loudspeaker in the lid. It uses a tube amplifier, with documentation indicating either one or two tubes; the exact count remains unresolved. The turntable features a governed commutator motor and an aluminum pickup arm described as "the latest design" at the time. The speed change knob is mechanically interlocked with the pickup arm switch to prevent incorrect operation.
Market
Common operational issues include skipping and slow playback, with users reporting that the unit may skip every groove on first use. It was originally priced at £5.9.11 according to THE Radio Constructor (1964), though a later listing in PRACTICAL (1965) cites £5.0.1—this discrepancy remains unresolved. The SRP10 appears in current collector markets on eBay and HiFiShark, often noted as a first personal audio purchase by vintage enthusiasts.
eBay Listings
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