I have a bit of experience in this area, as I have a local friend with two different Garrard 301 setups. I've compared two different Lenco builds, both of which came in at about half the 301 costs. I guess I prefer the Lenco sound, and it seems to be about a 60/40 split with others in the area that have heard both, in slight preference to the Lenco. It's hard to really characterize the differences though, where when I compare to direct drive setups for example it's an obvious across the board improvement.
There are other areas to improve, that don't really see mainstream mention on the Lenco. I use a very sophisticated AC regeneration system that uses 3 phase power. I found this to be a very big improvement, as I don't have to worry about the quirks of varying the pulley diameter to do speed changes or even having to worry about European versus NA pulley diameters (perhaps pulley isn't the right word, it's the hourglass shaped metal piece that drives the idler).
In the end, getting something sooner than later might be a valid concern. However, I really like the Lenco approach in replacing the top plate and isolating the motor. This is why I feel that the design really surpasses the Garrard "replinth". The mods really transform the Lenco, where the transformation is perhaps less so with the Garrard.