Table Mats

[alchemist 1]

There are so many types of materials used....

Any experiences of advantages of various mats ?

I have been looking at clear acrylic mats...........

Or is it another cable debate ?

 

[CnoEvil]

My experience is probably of little help, as it was over 30 years ago....but I experimented with mats when I owned a Rega 3.

I found that both cork and rubber mats changed the sound...but I ended up preferring the thin felt one provided.

 

[nopiano]

I think it's different to cables - thank goodness! Record replay is a mechanical thing, and the way the record is supported makes a difference.

Some turntable platters are metal, others acrylic, some glass, and some I think are even mdf ( the cheap ones). Each has a propensity to ring to some extent, and some machines sound better with certain mats. Sine state no mat is required. Changing mats can change your vta too, which can make a sound difference in itself. Sone mats stick to the record, especially the thin felt ones, though double-sided tape can prevent that. And then there are clamps!

Lots of scope to experiment therefore! What turntable are you using?

 

[bigfish786]

My original mat was like foam, it collected static, and would stick to the records. I swapped it for an acrylic mat, and the static was gone. I also got far less pops and clicks.

Its worth experimenting with them, they can be picked up quite cheaply.

 

[Al ears]

My original mat was like foam, it collected static, and would stick to the records. I swapped it for an acrylic mat, and the static was gone. I also got far less pops and clicks.

Its worth experimenting with them, they can be picked up quite cheaply.

Don't use one at the moment but on my older deck I found the cork / butyl mix to be best but only experimented when the original felt mat was knackered.

Be wary of a mat that is a lot thicker than original as this can effect the VTA slightly.

 

[Oldphrt]

I bought a thickish felt mat on ebay to correct a VTA error rather than using cartridge spacers. It certainly deadens the playing surface. Had to stick it down with double sided tape.

 

[Al ears]

I bought a thickish felt mat on ebay to correct a VTA error rather than using cartridge spacers. It certainly deadens the playing surface. Had to stick it down with double sided tape.

 

[Chris Munden]

I guess we all have opinions on turntable mats and sharing experiences is great, I am currently using an 'Origin Live' mat on my old Planar 3 and it seems to work OK and not a crazy price This is not to say that other mats are not as good, there are probably better but I'm not prepared to spend the money to find out. Any thoughts on Edwards turntables whom don't recommend mats but place the record direct on to the acrylic platter

 

[Al ears]

I guess we all have opinions on turntable mats and sharing experiences is great, I am currently using an 'Origin Live' mat on my old Planar 3 and it seems to work OK and not a crazy price This is not to say that other mats are not as good, there are probably better but I'm not prepared to spend the money to find out. Any thoughts on Edwards turntables whom don't recommend mats but place the record direct on to the acrylic platter

I am sure those at Edwards Audio have done numerous tests with and without mats. To that end it is only their opinions. At least they are not trying to sell you really expensive optional extras....

 

[chebby]

I met someone once who wanted to order two Linn platters for each album that he owned (for side 1 and side 2 in each case). Luckily that was only four Dire Straits records, so 'only' eight platters. (One might have been a double 45rpm version so - in that case - ten platters.)

He would then buy extra copies of each record and fix each one permanently to it's respective platter with epoxy resin glue. Perfectly flat and of one piece (mechanically) with the LP12 was the reasoning.

He wrote to Linn of his proposal but (oddly) they refused him, as did our local Linn dealer too!

I think he'd got the idea from a magazine at the time. Maybe Jimmy (barking) Hughes.

Not long afterwards he left his wife and job and mad alsation dog and returned to live with his mother in Glasgow. (My hi-fi aquaintance, not Jimmy Hughes!)

 

[Al ears]

I met someone once who wanted to order two Linn platters for each album that he owned (for side 1 and side 2 in each case). Luckily that was only four Dire Straits records, so 'only' eight platters. (One might have been a double 45rpm version so - in that case - ten platters.)

He would then buy extra copies of each record and fix each one permanently to it's respective platter with epoxy resin glue. Perfectly flat and of one piece (mechanically) with the LP12 was the reasoning.

He wrote to Linn of his proposal but (oddly) they refused him, as did our local Linn dealer too!

I think he'd got the idea from a magazine at the time. Maybe Jimmy (barking) Hughes.

Not long afterwards he left his wife and job and mad alsation dog and returned to live with his mother in Glasgow. (My hi-fi aquaintance, not Jimmy Hughes!)

Might I suggest, in this case, the only thing that could be considered barking was, in fact, the sanest..... ;-)

As owner of two GSD's I can safely assure people the only mad items involved are the owners.