classical inprovement...

More information and pictures about the new Kokomo-Kit comes in the next days!

Alle Preise zuzüglich Versandkosten. Ausführliche Informationen zu Bestellungen und Versandkosten finden Sie hier.

HI-FI World, UK - December 2007

Adam Smith: Even more impressive was the blissfull silence between the tracks...

It is well kown amongst vinyl aficionados that the quality and health of a turntable´s main bearing contributes greatly to ensuring that it performs at its best. When applied to Garrard 301 and 401 decks, this is even more important because, as our very own Noel Keywood found, this contributes greatly to the age-old rumble problems suffered by these otherwise superb units.
Of course, quite a few specialists have now cropped up that will sort this problem out for you, including Dr. Martin bastin, whose bearing modifications magically silenced Noel´s 401. Until, recently, however, there has been relatively little that the home DIY-er could do to their own deck in this area. This has now changed, however, thanks to Germany´s Analog Tube Audio.
Available for both 301s and 401s, the Kokomo kit consists of a brand new , one-piece bronze alloy thrust plate and a ceramic ball bearing that replace the original Garrard items. The kit also includes a bottle of a special bearing oil that can be purchased separately for Euro 8,50.
Using my own 301 as the test bed, I stripped out the old bearing and cleaned everything thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol, before commencing fitment of the new item. The instructions are very clearly and, half an hour or so later, the job was done. The first aspect I noted was that, with the 301s brake disconnected, giving the platter a good spin sent it merrily spinning for a very long time – a good sign!
These continued when spinning a few choice tunes. That fabulously deep and solid Garrard bass was still present and correct, but there was a definite tightening of upper bass and an improvement in detail in this area. Altough the old Garrard could still make the walls shake if required, it seemed to have gained something of a velvet glove to cover that iron fist and was exhibiting a lightness of touch that had been missing previously.
Even more impressive was the blissfull silence between the tracks. Obviously, poeple tend to notice an increase in noise less when they live with them day to day and it was only hearing a 401 a few month ago that made me realise my own deck had become a little more rumbly than it should be. With the addition of the Kokomo, however, it is quiet once more.
All in all, the Analog Tube Audio Kokomo kit is a simple and easy to fit upgrade for Garrard 301 and 401 motor units that works a treat.

Review Positve Feedback Online #32

Roger Gordon: This new bearing really works…Highly Recommended…

...Once everything was reassembled, I used my hand to give the platter a spin. The platter kept spinning and spinning. I stopped it, spun it again and looked at my watch. Two minutes later the platter was still spinning. Obviously, the new bearing had far less friction than the old thrust plate. With that visual confirmation that the new bearing was far lower in friction I started to play music. The first record I put on was one I had been playing a lot recently, The White Stripes Elephant. A very well recorded rock album, made entirely in the analog domain. As soon as the needle hit the vinyl I know that there had been an improvement in the sound. There was a clarity to the sound that had not been there before. I was hearing things that I had heard before, but instead of them being slightly fuzzy or blurred, they were now clear and distinct. I played all four sides of the two LP album. On every cut I was hearing clearly things that I had heard before, but hadn’t realized how veiled or obscured they had been. Amazing. The next LP on the platter was Nirvana Unplugged in New York. This is an album I take with me to the audio shows. I know it very well. Again I was hearing details I had not heard before. What was most noticeable was the subtle changing of the textures of Kurt Cobain’s voice. This was not something that I had really noticed before. Now the changes in texture were perfectly clear. Next up was the 45rpm reissue of Louis Armstrong’s St. James Infirmary. I’ve played this LP many, many times. Again I was hearing subtle little details that I had not heard before. I spent the rest of the afternoon playing album after album. Classical, rock, pop—it did not matter what the genre was. The sound was always clearer with more subtle detail. This new bearing really works… Read the full article on Positive Feedback Online