The 301 has a top quality bearing. Most tables had a very small motor and friction is kept down to a minimum. The 301 uses a very large motor and friction is deliberately added in the center spindle by the use of grease.
When tested by a famous Hi-Fi magazine in Great Britian, while the grease bearing was still available new for sale, they noted " Lest it be thought that the speed variation and slowing down times indicate inferior performance compared with other reports published in this magazine.....tilting the table 2 degrees from horizontal made no detectable difference to the friction (as indicated by the slow down time) whereas in all previous machines tested, this small tilt made easily measureable differences in the time, sometimes even showing a 50% increase in spindle friction" This shows the quality of the bearing Garrard chose for the 301.
They noted that the 301 uses a platter brake, which stops the table in 11 seconds. I've found mine stops a bit quicker than what they found. This is needed as it doesn't have the clutch mechanism of the TD-124 for quick record changes. Both are great turntables and have their advantages. The TD-124 is very finely made. Mine always keeps perfect speed from the first revolution of the platter. Changing speeds creates absolutely no speed change adjustments. It runs extremely quiet and changing records is very easy. The 301 reminds me of a over built, yet precision table that would be just as happy in a professional environment. No nonsense and built for performance. I don't think I'll ever have a favorite.