Kokomo Kit 301 / 401 MK3

hydraulic spindle bearing for Garrard 301/401

img_4391

The KOKOMO KIT Mk3 is hydraulic spindle bearing for Garrard 301/401 turntables. The spindle runs on a hydraulic oil film without any mechanical contact on the hydraulic flydisk. The resu lt is a perfect synergy of rotating parts. The installation is simple. No additional parts are necessary.

The kit is include Kokomo Oil and  a high quality main bearing gasket.

Why is the KOKOMO KIT MK3 the better choice!

Near to all 401´s and some 301´s have a flat top worn out thrustplate, this is like brake and some Garrard´s have problems with the speed control and can´t hold the speed. Those flat bearings avoid the full performance, the Kokomo kit fix these problems and the Garrard can run again with outstanding
performance. The installing is a easy job, all srews and parts fits with this new part.

TWEAKS FOR GARRARD 301/401 TURNTABLESexcl. 19% VATincl. 19% VAT
Kokomo Kit 301 Mk3(include Kokomo turntable oil, flydisk and high quality gasket)121,85 Euro145,00 Euro
Kokomo Kit 401 Mk3(include Kokomo turntable oil, flydisk and high quality gasket)121,85 Euro145,00 Euro
Kokomo Turntable Oil(20 ml, for Garrard 301/401, Thorens TD124 and other turntables (ground price 72,50 Euro incl. 19% MwSt./100ml))12,18 Euro14,50 Euro

FAQ:

How difficult is it to install the KOKOMO KIT Mk3 on my Garrard 301/401?
Installation takes approximately 10 minutes. Each KOKOMO KIT Mk2 includes a manual complete with detailed step-by-step instructions and pictures.

Are the KOKOMO KITS Mk3 for the Garrard 301 and the 401 the same?
No. The platter bearing dimensions for the Model 301 and the 401 are different. For the best possible performance we’ve developed kits specific to each model.

Can I use the KOKOMO Kit Mk3 on my grease bearing 301?
Yes, the KOKOMO kit works quite well with the greased platter bearing on the Garrard 301. Some customers have tried bearing grease in place of our special bearing oil with good results. Performance over the original bearing assembly is obvious. Your 301 will run quieter.

Why should I use the special bearing oil?
Our KOKOMO OIL is a perfect match for the thrust plate and bearing used in the KOKOMO Kit Mk3. Performance is improved and bearing wear is reduced almost to the vanishing point. While some experts have recommended and offer automotive motor oil, we advise against oil substitution because of the potentially corrosive effects of the additives used in engine oil.

hifiworld-kokomo01

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