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What Budget Platter Mat Do You Like? DIY?

grey_beard

grey_beard

Active Member
I'm looking for a good platter mat for less than about $30 USD and would appreciate any input based on your experience.

I currently have the stock rubber mat that came with with my Dual cs731q table which is where I will use the new mat.
 
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Absolutely highly recommended:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012J3FEB0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It sounds noticeably better than cork on my AR in terms of bass definition, imaging, etc.

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I have a ProJect 1.2 and the original felt mat was pretty hopeless. Eventually I opted for a 3mm cork mat which is lightly glued onto the platter with PVA adhesive. Seems to work well.
 
patient_ot said:
I would just stick with the rubber mat. $30 saved.
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A couple of issues I probably should have mentioned in my original post. First, I live in a very dry environment which means A LOT of static - as in being shocked everytime I touch anything metal. This time of year (winter) in particular my records have a tendency to crackle when exiting the sleeve. So anything that can help mitigate that is a big plus. Second, I have had an issue of records mysteriously developing blistering near the outer edge, so on the first track, and again toward the label on the last track. I believe it was as a result of having my record player set on top of a large amp that vented heat up into the record player and perhaps a reaction of the heated rubber with the vinyl. Frankly, this destroyed several records, some costing several hundreds of dollars. So I really want to isolate my records from a 40 year old piece of possibly unstable rubber.
 
I have been using Marc Morin's deerhide mat on his recommendation, although I have noticed static buildup using that. I am running a humidifer but just started for the year, don't think I had it running the last time I spun LPs because the dining room system has been in flux due to finding new toys.
 
grey_beard said:
A couple of issues I probably should have mentioned in my original post. First, I live in a very dry environment which means A LOT of static - as in being shocked everytime I touch anything metal. This time of year (winter) in particular my records have a tendency to crackle when exiting the sleeve. So anything that can help mitigate that is a big plus. Second, I have had an issue of records mysteriously developing blistering near the outer edge, so on the first track, and again toward the label on the last track. I believe it was as a result of having my record player set on top of a large amp that vented heat up into the record player and perhaps a reaction of the heated rubber with the vinyl. Frankly, this destroyed several records, some costing several hundreds of dollars. So I really want to isolate my records from a 40 year old piece of possibly unstable rubber.
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Mats only do so much for static mitigation. You know what kills static? Turning your heat down, no socks on carpet, and humidifiers. If a record is charged with static and you want to de-stat it, a Zerostat gun, either a commercial one or a DIY version works.

Re: your other problem, instead of a band aid fix I hope you got the turntable away from the amp. Instead of wasting money on a mat, look at getting a system rack, either commercial or make your own flexy type or cinder block and plywood rack. Get your components on separate shelves and the amp on the bottom - turntable on top so the amp is far away from the TT.

If a turntable comes with a rubber mat, it's usually to damp the metal platter. I see a lot of hokum and overpriced mats on the market that produce questionable benefits. Some of the ones made of a foam material or a rubber/cork combo might be an okay replacement for a stock mat if your stock mat is really ruined. I would try to make sure it is the same thickness as the stock one, particularly if your arm height is not is not adjustable (consult your manual). If you are looking for a magic mat that kills 100% of static good luck.
 
patient_ot said:
Mats only do so much for static mitigation. You know what kills static? Turning your heat down, no socks on carpet, and humidifiers. If a record is charged with static and you want to de-stat it, a Zerostat gun, either a commercial one or a DIY version works.

Re: your other problem, instead of a band aid fix I hope you got the turntable away from the amp. Instead of wasting money on a mat, look at getting a system rack, either commercial or make your own flexy type or cinder block and plywood rack. Get your components on separate shelves and the amp on the bottom - turntable on top so the amp is far away from the TT.

If a turntable comes with a rubber mat, it's usually to damp the metal platter. I see a lot of hokum and overpriced mats on the market that produce questionable benefits. Some of the ones made of a foam material or a rubber/cork combo might be an okay replacement for a stock mat if your stock mat is really ruined. I would try to make sure it is the same thickness as the stock one, particularly if your arm height is not is not adjustable (consult your manual). If you are looking for a magic mat that kills 100% of static good luck.
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1. I have no carpet in my house. I rarely use the heater. I have a multi-room humidifier. I am interested in a zerostat. Thanks. 2. I moved the record player away from the amplifier several years ago. 3. Audio hokum? Unheard of.

That said, as my original post stated, I am interested in hearing people's input based on their own experience. Thanks.
 
I have a Herbie's on my Dual 1219, only because at one point somebody pried the OE mat off the platter and did a number on the metal trim. The Herbie's mat was laying around from another turntable.
If the OE mat had been in acceptable shape, I'd have just used it.
I agree with the post above, save the money.
 
I like the technics oem rubber. They're usually under $30, I got 2 brand new for $40 a couple years back. I'm in an extremely dry climate, and everything I've tried has more static than new oem rubber.
 
Lots of votes for OEM rubber which has always been my thought as well. I am interested in leather and cork as possible improvements in addition to the original rubber mat.

I just really wish I knew what the hell caused the blistering on my albums. It has honestly made me nervous about continuing to have my records in contact with the Dual OEM rubber. I certainly will never leave a record on the table and will NEVER put a deck on top of an amp ever again.
 
grey_beard said:
1. I have no carpet in my house. I rarely use the heater. I have a multi-room humidifier. I am interested in a zerostat. Thanks. 2. I moved the record player away from the amplifier several years ago. 3. Audio hokum? Unheard of.

That said, as my original post stated, I am interested in hearing people's input based on their own experience. Thanks.
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Zerostat works, that I can confirm. I have an old red one.

I'm sure any minute now someone chime in about how a cork and pixie dust mat TRANSFORMED their audio experience.
 
grey_beard said:
Lots of votes for OEM rubber which has always been my thought as well. I am interested in leather and cork as possible improvements in addition to the original rubber mat.

I just really wish I knew what the hell caused the blistering on my albums. It has honestly made me nervous about continuing to have my records in contact with the Dual OEM rubber. I certainly will never leave a record on the table and will NEVER put a deck on top of an amp ever again.
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Got any pics of said blistering? This is the first I am ever hearing of this problem anywhere.
 
Montycat said:
I see you even reviewed it on Amazon. :)
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Yes, I try to be a good citizen!

Following is what I wrote... it sounds like a lot of hyperbole, but it really did make a big improvement vs. plain cork.

I bought this mat for use on a c.1963 Acoustic Research AR-TX (early AR-XA), which has been hot-rodded with a mass-loaded suspension, jeweled arm bearings, and rewired throughout. I had been using it with a plain cork mat and it sounded terrific, but I'd been reading positive things about cork/rubber composite mats, and decided to try one for myself.

I was skeptical that the cork/rubber mat would make a significant difference, but how wrong I was! It is no exaggeration that this $25 mat has added about $500 worth of improved performance.

Pretty much every area has been improved. I will do my best to explain what I am hearing.

First of all, there is more extension at both ends, there is more top end crispness and better bass foundation, and the bass is better defined and very punchy. The mids are better too, the bloom is extraordinary. On the right recordings, it's like there are layers upon layers unfolding. The sound was kind of laid back with the plain cork, but this mat has woken things up quite a bit.

I am very impressed!
 
I went the DIY route. My Dual 1019's platter is only 10" so it is slim pickings for a replacement, aftermarket mat.

I used a piece of anti-static material and cut it to size using the platter as a template.

Works pretty well.
 
A while ago, I've picked up Technics rubber mat, one of those 6mm thick ones for the price of 15 USD. Best investment ever (one of the cheapest one, actually) and it solved both the anti-static buildup issue from the stock felt, "slip" mat and VTA alignment issue on my LP120 without the need to raise the platter or modify the headshell(s) with additional shims, or whatever they're called.

As for the sound? It pretty much remained the same, I'm not hearing any major improvement. Perhaps the sound is not as bright any longer, and it has stronger bass. But really, I would have to say maybe. Nothing too significant, it mostly just looks better & more "professional" with rubber mat.
 
Dudeman7 said:
I went the DIY route. My Dual 1019's platter is only 10" so it is slim pickings for a replacement, aftermarket mat.

I used a piece of anti-static material and cut it to size using the platter as a template.

Works pretty well.
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I have a 1017sk that I use as well. I just love the mechanical mechanism of that table. What antistatic material did you use and where did you get it?
 
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