Cost Saving Turntable Mat

[admin_exported]

The stock felt mat on my Pro-Ject Debut III turntable is annoying the hell out of me, and causing static issues, so I'd like to replace it.

Looking what is available on the market, they seem to be very over priced for what they are. Can anybody recommend one that does the job of being anti-static and help better isolate the vibration from the cartridge, but cheap in price.

I'd also be happy to attempt to make one myself, if the materials are readily available.

 

[margetti]

Pro-ject do a cork mat for a tenner...

 

[the record spot]

Picked up a Ringmat six months or so back which clocked in around £50. Bit of a difference in sound quality and better over the standard Rega mat, but not £50-worth better IMO...!

 

[Anonymous]

Replaced the felt mat on my Pro-ject Xpression 2 with the cork ma. Much better static wise.

 

[Che1]

Hi Chris,

Was it you that was having trouble with the cartridge touching the records like my debut iii? Did you get it sorted out?

 

[Anonymous]

Hey, yes it was me. I ended up reducing the tracking force to 1.5 grams and it tracks perfectly now. I was told by Pro-Ject directly that the cartridge will happily track down to 1.3, but that is on the lower limit. I just found it to sounds best at 1.5.

I'm actually changing the cart to an Ortofon 2M red very soon, so it'll all be reset anyway.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

I think I will go for Pro-Ject's own cork mat. Seems reasonable at ~£10.

 

[John Duncan]

Although not much help if it has the same problem...

 

[JoelSim]

Chris_J:
Hey, yes it was me. I ended up reducing the tracking force to 1.5 grams and it tracks perfectly now. I was told by Pro-Ject directly that the cartridge will happily track down to 1.3, but that is on the lower limit. I just found it to sounds best at 1.5.

I'm actually changing the cart to an Ortofon 2M red very soon, so it'll all be reset anyway.

I'd be very interested to hear what you think about the 2M Red

ÿ

 

[seasiders rock]

forget cork and felt, spent 35 years playing with turntables, SILICONE, you dont get static, also damps the platter, if you have a metal platter try the finger nail flick test.

remove the mat, flick. note the tone, fit silicone mat, flick again, note the ring is now completely different. much lower.

last, get your self a decent record clamp, i use a nagaoka clamp, but michell, pro-ject do them.

srm-tech.co.uk for a decent silicone mat, £29.99 + delivery... worth every penny...