• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Platter Mat

Kwb

Kwb

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
On recommendation I bought a felt mat to lay over my original rubber mat. This was supposed to help in absorbing and add dampening. The mat was quite high price for just felt! Question...don't know if the benefits are worth the static cling I am getting now, it even sticks to the album when I pull the album off the spindle! Any thoughts on felt and what about cork mats?? Are do you just stick with the original rubber?

Thanks guys.
 
Register to hide this ad
A
Kwb said:
On recommendation I bought a felt mat to lay over my original rubber mat. This was supposed to help in absorbing and add dampening. The mat was quite high price for just felt! Question...don't know if the benefits are worth the static cling I am getting now, it even sticks to the album when I pull the album off the spindle! Any thoughts on felt and what about cork mats?? Are do you just stick with the original rubber?

Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

Here is a cork and rubber mat that may suit your need - $28.00. :)
http://www.sleevecityusa.com/Sleeve-City-Cork-Rubber-Turntable-Mat-p/dm-207.htm
 
Is there anything wrong with your current rubber mat? Because if there's not you may be looking for a solution in search of a problem. Anyways, I don't like felt because of the static you described. I don't know about cork mats. A cheap thing to try is go to the dollar store and get a roll of shelf liner that looks kinda like rubberized mesh. I use it on one of my turntables and it works fine, better than felt. A roll is enough to make many platter mats. Hey, it's only a dollar. Nothing to lose in trying it.
 
No, there is nothing wrong with my OE rubber mat. Just looking for ways to improve sound and less feedback. Would you put the cork on top of the rubber or remove the rubber mat completely?
 
Mats can make a big difference in the, detail and definition, the better your system, the easier it is to hear.
The cheaper light weight platters seem to benefit more. What you are trying to minimize is the vibration of all connected parts. These vibrations will add to the actual recorded music, and blur or smear the sound stage.
 
Freddymac2 said:
Mats can make a big difference in the, detail and definition, the better your system, the easier it is to hear.
The cheaper light weight platters seem to benefit more. What you are trying to minimize is the vibration of all connected parts. These vibrations will add to the actual recorded music, and blur or smear the sound stage.
Click to expand...
So, if I went with a cork mat do I lay it on top of the rubber mat or remove the rubber mat ?
 
I'd swap out the rubber mat for the cork one, listen a while and go with the one that sounds better.
 
You want the correct VTA and that changes when you change the mat, you won't know the cause of sound differences. I like a certain shelf liner, but it has to be washed and you still don't want to ever leave a record on it overnight. They can leave marks due to either something on the mat, or some basic chemical incompatibility. Many people won't use them for that reason. I've tried leather, cork, felt and other things. Each is slightly different, but the differences are subtle. Felt is a static and dust nightmare.
 
$28.00 for a cork mat? You can get a sheet of cork at the craft store for $5 and make your own, unless that is some sort of "magic" cork
 
Hi,

IMHO felt over rubber is an utter waste of time. FWIW spray the felt with distilled water
to stop cling. First time add a drop of detergent to break the surface film. Later on just
use distilled water as the detergent will remain in the felt.

Over the years I've tried all sorts of mats, felt, cork, acrylic, etc but still return to
my trusty hard rubber, properly profiled, Disk SE2.2. (2.2lb, 1Kg) turntable mat.

rgds, sreten.
 
Thick, heavy rubber is most functional and sounds good enough. Much bigger difference in how the deck itself picks up vibrations, how the arm/cartridge combo resonates, alignment, the cables, match with the amp etc etc. I stay with rubber :)

edit. but I like my Nagaoka disc clamp, don't know if it affects the sound but it ads feelgood to the handling of discs ;)
 
When you are evaluating the effects of different mats, play a complete range of the best stuff you have over a week or two. When I first heard cork I was impressed it just seemed more open and detailed, but over time I went back to my long time favorite, for many reasons. All tables, arms, and systems are different, it is up you,
and what you like, and no one can tell you what is best.
 
dzkfraser said:
$28.00 for a cork mat? You can get a sheet of cork at the craft store for $5 and make your own, unless that is some sort of "magic" cork
Click to expand...
Correct! Made mine years ago from a $3 sheet of 1/8 inch cork from Jo-Ann Fabric. I've never looked back. Looks like hell; sounds like heaven!
 
I recently went with deer hide, it's an affordable effective option. The difference in sound was there but it's subtle. I noticed the biggest difference in the bass being slightly more defined. These mats are attractive, they give a slick look to your deck. I got my on eBay from jakes deer hide mats, he makes an excellent product.
You would also benefit from using a clamp or weight.
 
Last edited:
Last night I put cork back on my TT and with my cartridge, it blurred the sound stage and the bottom lost all of the tightness and control and detail that I love, I confirmed it with many records of different types of music. Every table, arm and cart is different. There are all kinds of cork, the kind I have doesn't dampen the record enough. I have a very good cart. I am not using a clamp, I just put the record on the table.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom