Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Applied Fidelity Improved Platter/Bearing Accessory by Jeff V.

Model:	Improved Platter/Bearing
Category:	Accessory
Suggested Retail Price:	$unknown
Description:	Rek-O-Kut Improved Platter/Bearing
Manufacturer URL:	Applied Fidelity

Review by Jeff V. on February 25, 2010 at 16:37:43
IP Address: 173.51.125.168 Add Your Review
for the Improved Platter/Bearing

Not long ago I sent my Rek-O-Kut L-34 platter to Jim Howard of Applied Fidelity for an upgrade. I met Jim a while back while involved in a
Hagerman Cornet 2 project. We shared similar ideas on our builds. Jim's recommendations took my Cornet 2 to a higher level.

So when Jim offered to upgrade my stock platter & bearing I jumped at the chance. During the upgrade process Jim sent photos of his
progress. I was impressed by his work.

The platter was transformed step by step. The work was completed in just a couple of weeks time. The photos in no way prepared me for what I was to find when I opened the package.

I am awestruck at the craftsmanship that went into this! It looks like it belongs on a very expensive table. It looks nothing like what I had sent him.

The platter is beautifully polished and equipped with an acetyl mat. I was excited to get in some listening time. I did some casual listening while getting my table set up & letting the new bearing settle in. I could hear improvements from the get go. This is a good thing.

The previous platter I had been using was a highly polished steel thrust pad and ceramic ball that Jim had performed about a year ago. It's a sizable improvement over the stock Rek O Kut bearing.

Compared to either the stock Rek O Kut or Jim's previous polished steel bearing, the new bearing's improvements are not subtle.

Once the table was dialed in I spent a weekend listening. My
earlier impressions were correct. This newest platter & bearing make my Rek-O-Kut L-34 sound better than it ever has.

Definition is improved as well as the timbre of instruments. I especially enjoy the improvements I hear with drums and cymbals. They
sound great with this setup.

On Wilco's- A Ghost Is Born, track 2. Hell Is Chrome, the drums
sounded more natural than I had previously heard. This is a recording with well recorded drums. You are able to really listen to the tone of the drum kit. With the improved platter there is greater fulfillment of attack & decay. Listening to the cymbals, they sound real. I heard improvements on this LP from top to bottom.

Another example is Genesis-Selling England By The pound. This is an LP I have listened to countless times. There are many instances where Phil
Collins does some nice high hat work on this record.

I heard more detail with the upgrade. I could clearly hear his distinct taps on the high hat that where previously muddled in quality.
This is a nice improvement over the stock platter where detail can be smeared.

In my system this upgrade makes a positive difference. Currently this is my favorite turntable.

I still own a VPI Aries 2 with an SDS controller but I find this Rek-O-Kut table just as detailed with added PRaT. Compared to my other tables, a Thorens TD125 & the VPI I find the Rek-O-Kut is more engaging. Its a table that is fun to listen to.

I won't get into the details of the changes Jim made to the
platter. He would be the person to speak with about them.

I highly recommend this upgrade to anyone who is upgrading a
Rek-O-Kut table. Jim also does platter/bearing upgrades for
Lenco's, Technics, VPI & other brands of turntables. He said he can
improve upon my VPI's current bearing...I may take him up on this.

The end result is a platter & bearing compared to those found on top shelf turntables.

Jeff

Product Weakness:	None
Product Strengths:	Great dynamics. Improved Timbre.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: McCormack DNA-1
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): TAD-150/ Cornet 2
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Rek O Kut L-34
Speakers: Harbeth 7ES
Cables/Interconnects: Homemade Silver Interconnects
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Rock
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): VansEvers
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	McCormack DNA-1
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	TAD-150/ Cornet 2
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Rek O Kut L-34
Speakers:	Harbeth 7ES
Cables/Interconnects:	Homemade Silver Interconnects
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	VansEvers
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner