Interesting read on the turn tablemats ..

[Sergey Green]

Fascinating, really.
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2017/02/15/five-turntable-mats-an-audiophile-shootout/
-sg

 

[Grenadeslio]

All subjective, and it is funny how his preference followed the increase in price, can we say expectations?

 

[Sergey Green]

All subjective, and it is funny how his preference followed the increase in price, can we say expectations?

I know, this part is somewhat predictable. What I do find interesting though, even surprising, is how the mats do affect the sound. Do they really?

 

[Grenadeslio]

I know, this part is somewhat predictable. What I do find interesting though, even surprising, is how the mats do affect the sound. Do they really?

Of course they do, but again it's unpredictable which you will prefer unless expectations from a cost stand point play a part as it obviously did with the reviewer lol.

 

[jrtrent]

Interesting that he had static issues with the felt mat. I used an LP12 for nearly 30 years, and the felt mat only had static problems when I used the brush on an M97xE. Brush up, it was never an issue, nor was it an issue with any other cartridge I used. I also liked the Linn felt mat when using a Well Tempered Record Player, preferring the mat and no clamp over WT's recommendation of clamping the record directly to the acrylic platter. The felt mat on the Rega I use at present also presents me with no problems.

I will say that a friend's Rega P1 got a boost in performance by switching from the felt mat to a Herbie's mat. Not necessary with the Rega Bias 2 cartridge, but it really helped out when he used the stock OM5E cartridge with an upgraded Stylus 20, improved resolution of subtle dynamic shifts being particularly noticeable.

 

[bimasta]

I moved to the SAEC SS300 alloy mat years ago and never moved back, except for periodic tests against felt, rubber, sorbothane etc. It has a very clear, dynamic "sound".

 

[Blue Shadow]

Different turntable mats are specific to turntables. Using the same table, one may sound much better. using those same mats on a different table and the results will probably be different.

I wrote about using a stock Thorens mat, the Marcof Glass Mat, the Platter Matter and the Herbie's Way Excellent mat. They sounded extremely different on a Thorens TD-160 but not so different on a different system using a TD-125.

Part of what I heard was written here: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/in...td125-how-much-potential.554693/#post-7264565

 

[FONSguy]

My FONS CQ30 came with a carbon 'impregnated' felt mat that never had static issues. Got 2 more for my DJ tables.

 

[ripblade]

I moved to the SAEC SS300 alloy mat years ago and never moved back, except for periodic tests against felt, rubber, sorbothane etc. It has a very clear, dynamic "sound".

That's a fantastic mat, as reflected in the asking price for current samples. I had one briefly on a Technics SL-110. It was the only mat that killed the high hat platter's ringing tendency. Wish I coulda kept it, but the recession of '82 put a lot of my stereo wish list on hold.

 

[Thunderbox]

I have many turntables have owned hundreds and have yet to hear a platter that rings when a record is being played. Am I missing something.

 

[ripblade]

I have many turntables have owned hundreds and have yet to hear a platter that rings when a record is being played. Am I missing something.

If you haven't heard it, then no... you're not missing anything.

 

[bimasta]

That's a fantastic mat, as reflected in the asking price for current samples.

And I wouldn't have it at those prices. Well, maybe I would after hearing it and all the problems it solved. I lucked out: thirft shop, $5.

 

[ripblade]

I lucked out: thirft shop, $5.

Someone must've thought it was a butt ugly serving plate... defective.... because of the hole in the middle of it.

I wish I had luck like that....

 

[bimasta]

Someone must've thought it was a butt ugly serving plate... defective.... because of the hole in the middle of it.

Let 'er Rip, Blade! The LMAO is well deserved. I think it came in with a turntable, got separated, then nobody knew what it was, and put that crazy price-tag on it. Of course I searched for the TT it once graced, must've been pretty good, no one puts a SS300 on a piece of junk, but it was gone already — along with its (I assume) great cartridge... though cantilevers rarely survive that environment. Oh well, don't be greedy, good score anyway.

Still, I wonder. I once missed a Micro Seiki RX-5000 by 10 minutes. For $200.

 

[ripblade]

Still, I wonder. I once missed a Micro Seiki RX-5000 by 10 minutes. For $200

Well, sure, that was damaged, too....the motor came loose somehow.

 

[bimasta]

Well, sure, that was damaged, too

I've been telling myself that ever since. Not just "damaged", ruined, useless. But I didn't see it so I can't support that wish. And it wasn't a thrift shop, it was a guy in the East Village NY, a high-end junk store, he was smart and hip. He said it was immaculate.

 

[ripblade]

Gotta love that high end junk lol

 

[bimasta]

There's a great one in LA. It gets it junk from CalTech, JPL, NASA. Surplus of precision parts produced on cost-no-object budgets, now selling for a buck or two. I always find something doesn't fit my plan at all, but it's so great I change my plan to fit it.

 

[Dmitry]

Fascinating, really.
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2017/02/15/five-turntable-mats-an-audiophile-shootout/
-sg

A typical hi-fi reviewer BS "shoot-out". Absolutely zero data.

 

[ehoove]

After much experimentation, I run Herbies Way Excellent mats on my Modified Thorens TD160 and TD125MkII. I use no mat on my Clearaudio Solution Table with Master Solution upgrades. I also use record weights on all three.
Regards,
Jim