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TTL Mat, and AT Disc Stabilizer

N

nthall

Active Member
I just put a new Cork and Rubber Turntable Labs Mat, and the AT618 Disc Stabilizer on my 1200. I wasn't really expecting much improvement, vs the generic cork mat, and weight I was using, but the difference is amazing.

The sound is clearer, sharper, and the bass is more solid. Anyone with a 1200/1210 should give them a shot. It made a bigger difference than any mat, and weight I have ever used.
 
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marysdad said:
What is it about the AT618 stabilizer that makes it the one to have?
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I'm not sure what the major difference inside of it is. It has rubber in it, and on the bottom, that might be the difference on a Direct Drive Table. It definitely improves the sound. I was switching them around all day, and it consistently sounded the best.

I'll try it on one of the Idler Drives tomorrow. I think it might be to heavy for a belt, I'll try one out though.
 
Hard to think why one turntable clamp would outperform another in a siginificant way. The mat I understand, the clamp; not so much. Wouldn't be the strangest thing that ever happened tho. Glad it worked out.
 
Bob in WI said:
Hard to think why one turntable clamp would outperform another in a siginificant way. The mat I understand, the clamp; not so much. Wouldn't be the strangest thing that ever happened tho. Glad it worked out.
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Yeah me too. I have a feeling it's the rubber absorbing vibrations, but I have no way to test it. It definitely sounds better on the Direct Drive Tables. I've never really noticed a lot of difference in mats either, aside from cheap DJ mats. Most of them I've tried sounded the same more or less. Some sound better on different tables, than others.
 
All materials resonate differently, at different frequencies and with different harmonic structures. This is why a mat of cork and rubber will sound different than one of either rubber or cork. Same is true for mats of metal, plastics, ceramics or carbon fibre. If it touches the record it will influence the sound of the record. The same is true for clamps/weights as well.
 
This combo is the best I've tried on the 1200. My 1019 seems to sound the same with anything I've tried on it. All of the other tables seem to have slightly better performance from different types of mats, but I've never noticed much difference between weights. I think the weight it making the most improvement in this case, after swapping back and forth all day yesterday.
 
When people get new mats or clamps or other things of dubious value, they ALWAYS say the new stuff makes things sound better. Always. You NEVER hear, "Gah! What was I thinking? I'm going back to my old setup." It suggests to me that the consumers are hearing precisely what they want to hear.
 
I never considered mats or clamps to be of dubious value. However, not all combinations will be correct, so it's quite possible to have one that makes things worse.
 
I know that. That's why I kept switching things around, and listened to the same songs with different setups.

I have gone back to my old setup many times, that's why I have a variety to choose from. I'm certain it's not mental.

Like I've said before, I've really never noticed a huge difference in any of them aside from upgrading from a crappy felt mat, and adding a weight.

I have tons of equipment that I regretted purchasing right off the bat. I'm not into the gimmicks, I generally buy used, and repair it myself, or scratch build any audio equipment, even interconnects, and power cables. My system has a lot of parts bought at Home Depot in it.
 
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