Garrard Type A (1961)
An automatic idler-drive turntable introduced in 1961. It beat broadcast standards for wow and flutter.
Overview
The Garrard Type A is an automatic idler-drive turntable from Garrard, a British maker known for high-quality audio gear. It came out in 1961. Garrard promoted it as the first domestic turntable to exceed NAB broadcast standards for rumble, wow, and flutter. It has a sturdy wooden base and a ball-race design, which is where its solid build and low noise come from. It was well received in the early hi-fi era.
Specifications
| Speeds | 33 and 45rpm |
| Wow and flutter | 0.03% |
| Rumble | Signal-to-noise ratio 60dB |
| Dimensions | 430 x 166 x 355mm |
| Weight | 7.5kg |
Design
The Garrard Type A uses an idler-drive system with a ball-race design, mounted on a sturdy wooden base. That combination gives it high rotational stability and low noise.
Context
The Garrard Type A was developed from the RC88. It launched in 1961 as a high-performance domestic turntable, and it sat among the best available in the early hi-fi era.
Market
The Garrard Type A is very rare today. Examples have sold on eBay for $269.99, and one was listed for as low as $20 on Facebook Marketplace. Units often come with service records showing cleaning and adjustment of the controls and switches.
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