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Mat or No Mat on acrylic platter?

R

ReardenSteel

New Member
I recently purchased a Marantz TT-15S1 and I haven't had time to set it up yet. I did read the instructions though and if I chose to use the mat the tone arm needs a spacer.

My questions is: Should I use the mat or put the record directly on the acrylic?

I have read that it is better directly on the acrylic platter and have also read that it sounds much better on the mat...so I am not sure what to do. I prefer the look of the table without the mat but if it sounds worse then I would definitely use the mat.
 
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i can not help you with your problem,
however.
i can be the first to say welcome, its good to have you here,
im sure some one will be able to help you shortly
mike
 
ReardenSteel said:
I prefer the look of the table without the mat but if it sounds worse then I would definitely use the mat.
Click to expand...
Welcome to AK. It's just another one of those controversial subjects where the more reading you do, the less confident you get. Most arguments for/against a mat are academic. As long as direct contact of the vinyl with the platter surface doesn't end up in scratches and damage, even due to abuse, you'd be fine. Just try it out applying common sense and choose what's working best for you. Be your own judge.
 
ReardenSteel said:
My questions is: Should I use the mat or put the record directly on the acrylic?
Click to expand...
tnsilver said:
It's just another one of those controversial subjects where the more reading you do, the less confident you get. Most arguments for/against a mat are academic. As long as direct contact of the vinyl with the platter surface doesn't end up in scratches and damage, even due to abuse, you'd be fine. Just try it out applying common sense and choose what's working best for you. Be your own judge.
Click to expand...
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Welcome to AK!
 
ReardenSteel said:
I recently purchased a Marantz TT-15S1 and I haven't had time to set it up yet. I did read the instructions though and if I chose to use the mat the tone arm needs a spacer.

My questions is: Should I use the mat or put the record directly on the acrylic?

I have read that it is better directly on the acrylic platter and have also read that it sounds much better on the mat...so I am not sure what to do. I prefer the look of the table without the mat but if it sounds worse then I would definitely use the mat.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a compromise. Buy something that has VTA.
 
ReardenSteel said:
Does the TT-15 not have VTA? I think it does?
Click to expand...
Yes. The VTA adjustment is the tonearm being able to slide up and down and then get fixed in place by tightening the "tone arm fixing screw" with the provided large Allen wrench.

I've only owned one turntable with an acrylic platter (a Well Tempered Record Player), and I preferred the sound using a Linn LP12 mat (the WTRP did not come with a mat of its own).
 
I run a Clear Audio Solution Table as the main table on my main rig, and have tried a mat (Herbie's Excellent Mat) on it and it is definitely better without a mat. On the other hand the Herbie's is the go to on all three of my Thorens tables. ( Non-Acrylic platters)
Enjoy your new table, your ears will provide the answer for you.
Regards,
Jim
 
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