Garrard Zero 100 // Vintage / Automatic Turntable

The Garrard Zero 100 is one of those wonderfully eccentric ’70s turntables that wears its quirks with pride. Released in 1971, it was Garrard’s ambitious shot at solving tracking error with a funky parallel-tracking tonearm that uses a system of linkages to keep the cartridge perfectly tangential to the groove. Underneath, it’s still a classic idler-drive design, so you get that punchy, toe-tapping energy that idler fans swear by. Sonically, when cleaned up and tuned, it can sound surprisingly lively—rich mids, solid bass, and a nice dose of vintage character. Add in its chunky buttons, shiny chrome trim, and wood-veneer plinth, and the Zero 100 isn’t just a turntable—it’s a slice of ’70s hi-fi personality, equal parts ingenious and endearingly over-engineered.

RESTORATIONS

• Complete service check
• Cleaned and lubricated all drive components
• Verified auto functions
• Verified speed controls
• Set VTF to 1.3g
• Polished dust cover
• Reattached dust cover hinge
• Cleaned controls, switches, and chassis

SPECS

Type   2-speed, automatic record changer, idler wheel drive

Speeds   33.3 / 45 RPM

Pitch control   ±3%

Motor   4-pole induction for starting with synchronous section for constant running speed

Drive method   idler wheel

Tonearm   head pivots laterally as it tracks a record

Wow   better than 0.10% RMS

Flutter   better than 0.05% RMS

Rumble   negligible

Power supply   110/125V or 110/120V and 220/240V depending on motor coil windings

Power supply frequency   50 or 60Hz depending on pulley and stroboscope fitted

Dimensions   14.3"W x 6.3"H x 13.1"D

Weight   24.25 lbs.

LINER NOTES

Garrard's Zero 100, in basic performance, easily ranks with the finest automatic turntables on the market. Its novel arm-which really works as claimed-and its other unique design features suggest that a great deal of development time, plus sheer imagination, went into its creation. The results were well worth the effort..