Turntable Mats?

[fdrennen]

I have been searching for the original reference to the practice pad suggestion and this is the only other mention I could find, maybe someone else could think of better search terms? I know it's out there.
http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cach...ce+pad+mat+turntable&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1

 

[MrZero63]

Today I received the Herbie's mat in the mail, it's replacing the stock rubber mat on my Technics SL1300MK2. The main reason I ordered it is because of lately I'm having some severe static issues and Herbie's claims their mat draws static away from the record. Plus if it is sonically better, great. Here are my initial thoughts, however I need to wait about a week and then switch back to the old one to make sure I'm not hearing my $50 imagination.

Improvements:

1. The sound seems flatter, and more acoustically dead. This is good.
2. The sound is overall tighter and instruments have better separation.
3. The soundstage is improved, again with better separation and placement.

Disappointments:

1. This mat has made exactly zero difference in my static problems, in fact, when I removed it from the mounting material(don't know what that is) it was shipped on, it immediately started crackling from static.

2. Upon removing the mat from the package and realizing I just paid $50+ for this, it seems ridiculous. A thin piece of foam with a thin piece of rubber on top for $50? Ouch. I know there are many factors in having something like this made, that we the consumers don't know about, and they probably aren't selling these things by the tens-of-thousands. But I couldn't help but have the initial impression of being slightly ripped off when I first saw it. Such as it is with many purchases today, as much as I don't like it, what are ya gonna do?

So there's my first review of Herbie's Way Excellent Turntable Mat, you may do with it what you like. On a final note, I will say that for whatever reason, today my sytem was sounding particularly sweet. Whether or not the new mat was responsible for that is yet to be determined, however I have a hunch it was, at least partially. We'll see, tomorrow's another day and it could very possibly sound like crap.

I have to agree with you regarding static - Herbie's Way Excellent Turntable Mat (WETM) did nothing noticeable for that problem (being in dry southern NM for the time being doesn't help either). Regarding sound, I only had about a week of listening bliss with my new 'table (back in July), so I will have to give her the old college try with and without the mat upon my return back to the States... I was totally blown away by the new 'table (Scout) and never even gave the acrylic platter a chance before covering it up with Herbie's WETM.

Herbie's site states that the WETM is, "Made from finely textured, open-cell silicone foam, this mat has unsurpassed vibration-absorbing characteristics and no resonant qualities of its own to discolor the music."

The major reason why I purchased Herbie's WETM was because I lost out on a few felt mats I bid on at ePay and figured the 90-day money-back guarantee on the WETM was great. Besides, Harry's quick responses to some Hal-o questions I had solidified the sale. Did I mention the 90-day money-back guarantee?

-Dave

 

[Nat]

In response to the no mat at all post from the guy that just supported the label part of the record. Meitner made a turntable based on the idea that vibrations would pass into the air rather than being reflected back in the record if the record was not on a mat. The table was cute as a bug with a very heavy label size platter and an equally large and heavy record weight. I saw it, but never heard it.
It was advertised with the suggestion that people do exactly what the poster did, which was cut a disc large enough to support the label, and use it to space the record above the platter -- actually cutting down a record with sissors was their suggestion. I believe it was talked on on an NPR show that I never heard (Adiophile Edition, maybe) and caused a bit of a stir, but I suspect people went back to regular mats after a while. Perhaps the initial favorable impressions were fleeting -- this is often the case with audio.

 

[shacky]

Yep, that's the scene, gotta love it! I have to watch that silly movie at least twice a year, I never get tired of it.

Me too. Though you know what's coming the delivery and facial expressions in this movie still crack me up! Like an old Marx Brothers movie - they just get better with age.

"Why Clarke, that there's an AARRR VEEE!"

 

[Stanton681EEES]

Which Pickering Stylus are you looking for? There are some NOS Stanton 881sII on that auction site that are a direct replacement for the XSV 3000, search under musical instruments.


Jim

Are you referring to Ebay or what site is it, I need a stylus for my XSV 3000

 

[REDone]

In response to the no mat at all post from the guy that just supported the label part of the record. Meitner made a turntable based on the idea that vibrations would pass into the air rather than being reflected back in the record if the record was not on a mat. The table was cute as a bug with a very heavy label size platter and an equally large and heavy record weight. I saw it, but never heard it.
It was advertised with the suggestion that people do exactly what the poster did, which was cut a disc large enough to support the label, and use it to space the record above the platter -- actually cutting down a record with sissors was their suggestion. I believe it was talked on on an NPR show that I never heard (Adiophile Edition, maybe) and caused a bit of a stir, but I suspect people went back to regular mats after a while. Perhaps the initial favorable impressions were fleeting -- this is often the case with audio.

Well it was me ..Interesting that it has a background history & sort of links with your thread on TT Design as well. ( Meitner eh .. Ever noticed that German sounding surnames have more credibility in technological suggestions? ).
Anyway it is an easy enough experiment to do though On a full size platter warped records maybe a problem .. the 10" platter of the Connoisseur is a definite advantage in this case. On full size platter I would be tempted to enlarge the disc mat to 125mm 5" diam
I guess the looks of the platter sans covering puts people off as well

I have just cut a 10" disc of cork mat to compare .. Very nice but not sure if there is a huge difference to the standard mat yet .. First observations are that I wouldn't rush to spend £15 30$ on it

 

[fdrennen]

Which Pickering Stylus are you looking for? There are some NOS Stanton 881sII on that auction site that are a direct replacement for the XSV 3000, search under musical instruments.


Jim

I am looking for one that would fit a stanton 500/Pickering NP body something like a ATE. at an inexpensive price. If possible.

 

[hakaplan]

Disappointments:

1. This mat has made exactly zero difference in my static problems, in fact, when I removed it from the mounting material(don't know what that is) it was shipped on, it immediately started crackling from static.

Despite those claims, I would never have expected static improvement--don't know how he could achieve that with a mat. Best bet I've found for static is Static Guard spray (a few dollars) sprayed on powder puffs and applied to each side of a clean record. Only need to treat once. Leaves no residue. Advice was given to me from someone living in Arizona, probably the dryest place in the country. Works wonderfully. Do a search on Static Guard and look for my post for details if you're interested.

 

[stuckinthe70s]

Despite those claims, I would never have expected static improvement--don't know how he could achieve that with a mat. Best bet I've found for static is Static Guard spray (a few dollars) sprayed on powder puffs and applied to each side of a clean record. Only need to treat once. Leaves no residue. Advice was given to me from someone living in Arizona, probably the dryest place in the country. Works wonderfully. Do a search on Static Guard and look for my post for details if you're interested.

I've actually done that, sprayed the Static Guard on one powder puff, dabbed it lightly on the second one and then applied the first puff to the spinning record. It helped, but didn't completely eliminate the problem. I've also sprayed the Static Guard directly on the rubber mat, let it dry and then put it back on. Again, it may have helped for a little while, but one static charged record and the mat is all charged up again. I believe the problem is a combination of the excessively dry furnace-heated air, and something about my turntable- Technics SL1300MK2. I have noticed it seems to help if I treat the stylus with Last stylus cleaner before each side, which is overkill, but if it helps I'm going to continue doing it. I also just got a Zerostat last week. If I have a record that's really clinging to the mat, it takes 7 or 8 zaps with it to remove about 75% of the static. Ohio sucks.

 

[REDone]

Isn't static also a result of the type clothes you wear & the type of carpet you walk on? I know it when I wear man made fibres. Not saying you should be naked wearing big rubber boots when you put a record on but it may help

 

[hakaplan]

Isn't static also a result of the type clothes you wear & the type of carpet you walk on? I know it when I wear man made fibres. Not saying you should be naked wearing big rubber boots when you put a record on but it may help

You mean everyone doesn't play records that way??? :saywhat:

 

[stuckinthe70s]

You mean everyone doesn't play records that way??? :saywhat:

Ya bunch of sicko's, I at least wear my leopard skin thong, you know, in case someone comes to the door.

 

[Jim Eck]

Are you referring to Ebay or what site is it, I need a stylus for my XSV 3000

Yes, here is the link, http://cgi.ebay.com/STANTON-D-81-II-S-STYLUS-STYLI-FOR-881-MKII-S-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ170061780540QQihZ007QQcategoryZ101978QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem I have no afffiliation, however I have bought from this seller in the past.


Jim

 

[Jim Eck]

I am looking for one that would fit a stanton 500/Pickering NP body something like a ATE. at an inexpensive price. If possible.

Run a search and watch, they turn up from time to time.



Jim

 

[jann_58]

Here's a simple and next to nothing tweak for the platter mat.

Cut a 3mm cork sheet to actual size for your platter's base mat. This act as a heavy sonic damper as a foundation. Layer it with a soft rubber mat diyed from a table placement mat from Ikea. This soft felt material has an excellent grib to hold your vinyl. The groove design on the top layer allows excessive vibration to be released thru the air groove during spin. The ikea placement mat come in many shades that I am sure will add some colourful delights to your music.

If this does not make sense theorically, it is ok. Gotta some real nice sound out of this mat combo on various tables. This is very cheap diy fun experiment, and I actually made a bunch of these for my vinyl buddies as Christmas gift. They al'lov it! :scratch2:

 

[MrZero63]

Ya bunch of sicko's, I at least wear my leopard skin thong, you know, in case someone comes to the door.

Ha ha! :lmao:

 

[ehoove]

DIY Mat

I haven't tried any mats but always thought that the None Felt TT mat looked like the shelf liner you can get at local hardware stores or Walmart. I haven't had the courage to try it.

http://www.musicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=AEXTPHMATS

I made my own with the shelving material I got at Walmart ($2.99 for 15 feet) and have used it with good results on my Thorens 125 Mk II for about a year. It looks to be the exact material as the Musicdirect Mat. It definately was an improvement over the standard mat, and the Gray felt Disc-mat I was using. I did have to reset the VTA though.

Have a great 2007 by the way!!

 

[fdrennen]

I would be curious how those practice pads worked as a TT mat. It might be really good, or it might deaden the sound. Interesting idea.

Can you remember where these were discussed?

The only materials I have played around with for DIY mats is shelf liner and cork. On my table (Thorens) the cork was an improvement over the stock mat and the shelf stuff.

here it is

http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1898&highlight=practice+practise+pad

 

[melofelo]

maybe this::scratch2:
http://olfablades.stores.yahoo.net/9902.html
or something similar to cut 12 inch circles could be worth a look for some experments with different materials...

 

[ddarch]

I've been experimenting with mats for years. This is a HIGHLY subjective matter, and so much is dependent upon total system synergy.

I have a Merrill Heirloom with a Sumiko FT-4 arm that has on the fly VTA adjustment. George Merrill recommends a lead mat as part of his total platter system (acrylic platter, record weight, peripheral clamp), and I really like the sound (or lack of coloration) the lead mat provides. However, for the past year and a half, I have been using an Extreme Phono Speed Mat on top of the lead mat, and I love it. It's the longest I've kept any individual mat or mat combination. There is something in the way the Speed mat's carbon fibre weaving interfaces with the lead mat.

Neither the Merrill lead mat nor the Extreme Phono Speed mat is cheap, but I have found their combination to be what sounds best on my system. Worth every penny.


Dave