SMD Acoustics 301 Stainless Oil Bearing & Spindle Upgrade

SMD Acoustics 301 Stainless Oil Bearing & Spindle Upgrade

Peak HiFi are pleased to be able to offer the SMD Acoustics bearing and spindle upgrade for Garrard 301 and 401 turntables.

This is the same bearing as used in the SMD Acoustics V2.0 which received a 5 globe award in HiFi World April 2016,

Click here for more details of the SMD V2.0 and the review

Noel Keywood in his Welcome of the April Edition of HiFi World said of the bearings impact on performance:-

 "These improvements made an extraordinary difference, moving the V2.0 to a level fractionally better than Direct Drive. I suspect that is down to its now-superb bearing that is likely better than all others"

A solid stainless oil bearing machined from 303 Grade Stainless Steel. The bearing is massively oversized to add mechanical stability over the original bearing thus bringing about an improved sense of grip and control to the music and further reducing the noise platform but without loosing the hallmark Garrard sound.

The bearing is fitted with two "Oilite" bushes that are precision honed for the ultimate close running fit to ensure zero play and absolute minimal bearing noise. Only "Oilite" bushes a suitable for such a close running fit as there is so little space between the bushes and the spindle it is very difficult for oil to get between the bush and the spindle but the"Oilite" bush is pourous like a sponge so it absorbs oil and ensure constant lubrication between bush and spindle.

The bearing features an O ring seal at the bottom meaning zero oil leakage and an oil delivery system as per the original Garrard bearing to ensure oil is delivered to the bottom bush as well as the top bush.

The bearing also includes a matched SMD Acoustics replacement spindle for the which is dimensionally an exact copy of the original Garrard spindle. It is manufactured from a high carbon, high chromium tool steel grade offering very high wear resistance and toughness. After the spindle is CNC machined it is vacuum hardened to HRC 55 - 60.

Once hardened the spindle is precision ground to the original diameter a nominal 0.4825"  +0 - 0.0001" (12.255mm +0 /- 3 microns). 

The spindle runs on a high quality polished phosphor bronze pad in an Acetal bearing cup to ensure quiet smooth running.

Click here for more details of the spindle.

Don't compromise on quality the bearing is heart of your Garrard and a badly engineering and designed bearing will at best give poor sonic results at the worst it may cause damage.

The SMD Bearing is the ideal partner for the PAC oversize Garrard platter upgrades:

REVIEWS

Nick Krajancic - AudioAficionado.org 2019

Malcolm Littler Customer Review

Click here for the aluminium platter

Click here for the brass platter

If you require only a bearing housing and plant to use your own spindle please contact us for details.