Mats: Felt Vs. Rubber

[zenith2134]

Well, I searched and searched but still don't have a definitive answer on which is better. Some feel rubber-mats are the way to go, yet many swear by a felt mat. I use felt, but have a HQ rubber mat as well, and to be frank, haven't noticed a difference.

But generally speaking, which is tonally 'better' and how the heck can something like a mat influence the sound? I'd be very interested in hearing the reasoning behind it all.

 

[Thom]

I use cork. Cheap, quiet and stays put.

Thom

 

[iLUVanalog]

i use rubber only, with the exception of my vpi table, which uses NO mat. i don't use felt as it leave dust and fibers on the record.

 

[zenith2134]

Cork....another option arises. Will look into it

 

[sloober]

Cork....another option arises. Will look into it

You can find sheets at home stores or autopart stores. It is used for gasket material sometimes, but might come rolled up. Would take some flattening to use it.

 

[brucered]

in canada, RONA carries 3'x3' squares or thee abouts. i think i paid about $10, and can get about 4 single thickness mats out of it.

 

[zenith2134]

So, you guys are in agreeance that cork is the way to go, huh?

Will do. Gonna head to Home Depot and see if I can't score a sheet or two.

 

[Fishstink]

You can't ask someone else what mat is good for you. You have to try several and decide for yourself. I use a cheap shelf liner from Targets. Cut out a circle and it is better than all the rest I have tried. This is something you must find out for yourself on your turntable, with your amp and speakers.

 

[jimdandy]

To be honest -- I don't think there's a noticable difference. But if you want to experiment, carry on.

 

[SpruceMoose]

i replaced the rubber mat on my dual a few decades ago with a discwasher anti-static felt mat. the records would build up such a static charge that they would pull out of my hands as i raised them off the platter if i was not paying attention. no lie.

i use a set of cork dots as a mat on my b&o 3300. i dont like the idea of putting my records on an aluminum platter, and if you cover the pattern of lines on the platter, the feature that prevents the arm from trying to play an empty platter is defeated. not cool to see your expensive stylus trying to play a sheet of aluminum...

 

[Tedrick]

I use Herbie's Way Excellent II mat on my Kenwood KD-500. It's a worthwhile upgrade to any 'table with a metal or glass platter.

 

[Drybasement]

Yeah, I bought a Herbie's too. Just got it today in fact and a very nice product I might add. Couldn't take that felt mat any longer.

Cheers

 

[John D.]

I've used rubber and felt, I prefer rubber.

 

[ejman]

My Rega P3 has felt, My Lenco L75 rubber. They both sound great. If you live in a very dry environment there may be some static built up in the felt mat so that it comes off with the record which is a PITA. Not a problem here in Oregon.

 

[nailer]

Another vote for Herbie's. Way better that felt or rubber. Have never tried cork.

 

[totem]

Leather was in use and supplied OEM on at least one high end late 70,s line.
I have used it and thought it fine.

 

[Arkay]

I think the "best" mat depends on the platter material and size, as well as the overall construction of the TT and what type of cartridge is being used. Since the physics of this gets complex, the best thing is simply to try out different mats and see which sounds best to your ears. Sometimes the differences will be dramatic; just as often they will be nearly undetectable, depending in no small measure on how revealing your overall system is.