Choosing the best turntable mat
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- Опубліковано 3 січ 2018
- This video is about choosing the best mat for your turntable. Since there are various typologies it is important to know your turntable and experiment using different types, hard or soft. Here are suggested a few of the best types for each category and other useful information.
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Turntable Mat detailed info by R. Bruil: www.soundfountain.com/amb/ttma...
Music: "Jazz Brunch " Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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As suggested by IVAR I am adding some further information on the mats I personally tested. I did not do this in the video because the results I obtained will not fit perfectly everyone but must be taken as pure personal experience and basic suggestions since my system produces results different from any other (obviously).
The Technics rubber mat is probably not a simple rubber compound considering the high price of the SL1200G. In any case this mat has a good treble, good mid frequencies, excellent bass, controlled and not too punchy. Usually rubber has a different results, more restrained, so I was pleased by this.
The leather Wooden Bull mat did not thrilled me. All aspects (high, mid and low frequencies were kind of set back if compared to the Technics rubber mat.
The cork side of the wooden Bull delivered similar results but with less details. I must admit that the high frequencies were better than the former.
The Perfect Interface by Stein: I actually started out with the top of the tops, the Carbon Signature, which sounded dull and rather dry!! I was shocked! Then, after contacting Holger Stein himself, who came and visited me at my home to do some tests (Yes! He really did that!), he gave me a more simple model, the Signature version. Finally things got much better. The Stein Music Signature mat, made out of the Tapa Cloth Tree paper, is directly set on the brass platter of the Technics delivering the best results. All frequencies finally sounded correct and the stage was much wider. I must admit that in the end, the Stein mat is better than the Technics rubber mat. Overall, considering the high price of the Stein, I think that the Technics rubber mat for only a few Euro / dollars delivers an excellent sound!
A few suggestions:
Acrylic mat
(US): amzn.to/2DBcPwS
(UK): amzn.to/2DhBhCB
(IT): amzn.to/2OBTCMM
Crystal/glass mat
(US): amzn.to/2RNMyyw
(UK): amzn.to/2Dijo6H
Rubber mat
(US): amzn.to/2z5HQWa
(UK): amzn.to/2DzcPxz
(IT): amzn.to/2DCc1rP
500 euro. Jeez, I've been unable to pull the trigger on 12 bucks for cork. That's cheapology.
Jeff Stockton
Hilarious
Jeff Stockton
Or frugoligy instead of frugality
Too much expensive
I've tried cork, felt, and acrylic on my SL1200, and I've noticed almost no sonic differences between any of them over the stock rubber mat. For me, static control is the most important factor in mat choice.
I hear you! I did not have any benefit untill the Stein but as I said...crazy price for little improvement. Remember that my model is a SL1200G. There are a lot of differences with a MKII. Haaaaa.....static! That is a big issue...upcoming in a future video!
The stock rubber matt of the 1200 feels perfect, i had a felt matt over it because almost all tts had a felt mat, so i thought it was a standard, but when i removed it the sound was better
How was the acrylic? Did it "slip" on the platter for a second when you started the motor?
The best way to control static is to spray your records with WINDEX just before you play them, helps keep the sound clean and clear & makes the static disappear. Works on CDs too but not tapes. ;-)
Rubber mats sound better than felt.
It damps the record itself better.
Of course this works best when the record is flat and straight.
I have tried the Felt Mat, rubber, and Cork Mats, and my favorite one out of all is an Acrylic Mat. It sounds the Best
You are right about the acrylic mat, although it works best for me on a thick composite dense fibre type platter, as on a Project RPM 5.1 turntable, with it on top of a felt mat underlay. The best mat I've tried with metal platter turntables ( currently being used on a modest Audio Technica AT-LP5 usb deck) is the Funk Firm Achromat 5mm, expensive yes but definitely worth it.
Roger E Gisley How Much does that Funk Firm Anchromat cost?
I second that. I also use a funk firm achromat on my Garrard 401.
Two old LPs taped together with double sided tape placed straight onto the platter - no felt mat - Sounds Great - Costs 0 - Job Done !
I love the fluance acrylic platter that I added to my rt82. Really rounded out the sound and added some depth to the bottom end.
Good job!
I believe (have not tested) it probably better to put that 500€ for the expensive mat on a better cartridge/ TT/ phono preamp. You are probably going to get more of an improvement sonically. If your equipment is not the best there is and then yeah you can't upgrade anything except the mat.
I have a turntable platter mat that is made out of soft unicorn hide. Very expensive
😂
I need one of a skinned leprechaun
I'll take the gold pot too
@@mynaimrie The person selling the snake-oil mat is reaping the pot of gold. :-)
The best and MOST expensive are made of leprechaun foreskins. Rumpledforeskin ;-)
I need one, do you have a link to buy one? 🤣
Great video’s, high content and very entertaining. Keep up the good work!
Thank you very much Menno! Will do!
Wonderful summary of what touches your collection
Great video. I like your take on mats. I tried in a video but you went more in detail.
Thanks! What a nice comment!
Thank you for clearing this up
I never gave much attention to the turntable mat. I just ordered a Origin Live brand mat for my Rega RP6 (glass platter) from the UK. Thank you for the information and advice.
Thank you Tony!
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing Tony and for updating us. If you have that kind of improvement I am afraid that you are suffering a severe vibration issue...check this video for further improvements: ua-cam.com/video/UYMbi7v2pNU/v-deo.html
@@anadialog Yes, you are correct. I did a listening sound comparison test. I am getting far (much more) better sound quality from my Rega RP6/Hana-ML setup than the other vintage turntable, so I'll stick with this current set-up. Perhaps one day I'll try the Nagaoka MP-500 on a better turntable (with a better tonearm). I am looking forward to watching your latest videos - many thanks.
I found this to be a great source of information. The conclusion -- experiment. Which I did. Cork/rubber composite vs Felt vs directly on Rega glass platter. The suggestion from this post that harder is better did, in fact, hold true. I used Foster the People's Helena Beat as my source. The bass on this song is sort of muddy to begin with and has some interesting complex bass passages interspersed with some simple patterning. With the cork and felt, fast, multi-note bass passages were very blurred and note differentiation was difficult to pick up. With the LP directly on the glass, each bass note was clear regardless of the rapidity of play. The difference was not small. I believe any casual listener would have been able to pick up on the superior clarity of the hard glass surface . One thing I am not sure about is the "slip" factor. No question, any added pressure on the edge of the record, and it slips against the glass platter. I placed a platter clamp on the rig and the sound remained clear, but I don't know the arguments regarding slippage. And then there is the VTA issue which is beyond this novices capacity for fiddling around. Thanks for this fine video.
Dear William,
Thank you very much for your detailed comment and also for sharing with us your experience. Your contribution is very important!
I am also glad that you found truth in my words, that is great to know.
Regarding your issue (slipping), the best solution, most probably, is to find a thin peace of damping paper as that produced by Stein Music, which unfortunately is very very expensive. A thin interface as that, on top of a rigid mat, will (probably and hopefully) do the trick! I do not know any alternatives to the Stein but I think that if you find a cotton base paper (as that used for watercoloring), you hammer it down and make it nice and flat, along with some small stickers on the part facing the platter, you might have some kind of positive solution there.
Mapleshade has the best system to replace your turntable mat.
Can you tell us if you are affiliated with them?
I don’t know when this video was first issued but I only watched it last week. I feel I have to thank you for your recommendations. I have tried many different mats on almost as many different turntables. So decided to try an acrylic mat. Wow. A noticeable improvement over the collaro mat I was using on my Rega rp10. Yes bass is improved, separation is better, and of course with resulting wider and more precise soundstage.
It’s just generally better detailed. Thanks again.
Thank YOU!
Wjich one do you have? Brand?
I agree a lot with what you are saying that it had to do with your TT. A TT with not vibrations from the motor reaching the platter may benifit from a hard mat. But a TT with motor noise like my Debut Carbon DC coming through to the stylus might be worse with a hard mat as it doesn't dampen/ provide so much isolation from vibrations
True...each case is different...
Great channel. If you are just getting into vinyl, before you go down this rabbit hole, make sure you have a good cartridge/stylus (not expensive, good), and it is properly adjusted. Then make sure your RIAA-phono preamp is also good. I just moved off my vintage amp's phone preamp to a NAD PP4 - night and day. When your entire chain is good, then you can buy JB's (I love it!) unicorn hide mat. Seriously, a friend of mine is into those old wind-up gramophones with the steel needles. Sure it was not HIFI, but some of those old recordings, Ella, Sarah, Louie etc still get all the emotion of the music across. As a listener you are transported into their world... that's what it is about, the media and the equipment is just the vehicle. Listening to 10cc Bloody Tourists (with all the snap, crackle, and pops that go with a used recording).
True!
Thanks for checking out the Japanese paper tree one for us. I have the (vintage) Technics SL-3350 with original rubber mat. Any suggestions on refreshing it. Looks like one part is a bit different like something dripped on it and gave it a renewed look. I think I’ll try to improve this one first before looking for something maybe harder...
THROW AWAY THE FUNKY OLD MAT AND USE PAINT... Black for a deeper bass, red for crisper highs and green and blue for a better mid-range and tighter sound stage. Spray cans work better than brush on too. Don't forget masking tape. Those Japanese paper tree ones can ignite when playing hot music. You want TUNES not an Engine Company. ;-)
I appreciate this vid. I am new to vinyl. I just bought a SL1200MK7 and it came with the felt mat. I know you recommend to experiment. Would I be better off getting the OEM rubber matt: RGS0008 for about $35 USD? Or should I try finding a hard acrylic? I imagine either would be better than the felt that came with it. I've spent a ton on the amp, preamp, phono amp and speakers already. As I'm asking you this I think I'll go for the RGS0008 and enjoy that difference and research a harder material but I'm thinking acrylic or a metal like copper or brass but I don't want to spend $500 Euros on that beautiful one you mentioned for nominal gain if that's going to be the case. I will likely upgrade my Ortofon OM5E cartridge before purchasing an expensive hard mat to I am thinking an Ortofon 2M Brown or Black. Thoughts? Thank you for your time!
Welcome aboard! I would certainly invest in a cart. Mats come at the end, for fine tuning. A good Ortofon is a great choice!
So what would be recommended for a technics 1200gr? I've got the standard rubber with a technics DJ-style mat on top of it.
I had 2 turntables in the past, a Sony and a Technics and i sold them bc they were on the lower end model turntables all in plastic and light weight and very limited cartridges selection so a few days ago i found out a decent deal i mean a very good deal and bought an old turntable an ITT HIFI 8012 dd from the 80s wich is a Mitsubishi after all with another label and this could be a very good start for analogue start, so because this turntable doesn´t have headshell or cartridge i need to buy the best combo and i am learning what it could be the best sound out from it, so thanks a lot and continue with the good work.
Thank you Johnny and congratulations for your upgrade!
Thank you for this video.
Thank you!
Both my Technic SL-110 and Thorens TD-124 turntables came with rubber mats to which which I never gave much thought. The Thorens mat is built in with a 45 rpm pop--up adapter of a neat design. You just press it down a bit and rotate it clockwise a little and it pops up. When you're finished with it you press it down and rotate it counterclockwise and it locks back down. It's a neat design and I would use it if I had any 45s worth playing. No other single play turntable that I have ever seen has that as a feature -- it's simple and effective.
I would be amazed to hear any difference in the output of any turntable typology with different mat materials. The only purpose I can see for a mat is to provide a rather soft surface for the record to lie on and provide enough friction to prevent a warped record from slipping. A hard cork mat would be useless for both of those functions.
Hi Bruce, I understand your skepticism but you should try different materials and in particular the difference vetween a soft mat and a hard mat. Obviously we arr nit talking abot night and day differences but there will be an uncrease or decrease in the quality of the reproduction. Just try to play a record without your mat (if it is removable)...that should give you an idea....
Currently I use a Soundeck mat made of two thin layers of aluminium with a polymer between them. This sits on top of a Funk Firm mat. It does mean I don't have a lot of spindle showing but it really brings out the midrange in a pleasing fashion.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing!
I think a blindfold test with mats of different materials would disclose no differences in the sound whatever. Buying a mat costing several hundred dollars would prove what P.T. Barnum said: "There's a sucker born every minute".
If you're doing a blindfold test on a mat that costs that much you should just have your eyes gauged out just to make sure you're getting the best results. ;-)
Not true.
Rubber mats sound beter than felt.
@@forwardsdrawkcab you are all wrong, sand down a old LP on both sides and try it. Keep it simple stupid☺
If he says typology one more time…
@@forwardsdrawkcab Have you done it
Hi thanks for your dedication, I'm starting on the audiphile world and it's helping a lot. Which mat do you think it goes better for the AT LP120X?
Welcome on board! Couldn't say...you must experiment. Start with something hard, or very thin. Usually they work better. Give us feedback if you find a good combo!
@@anadialog I think i'll go for an acrylic one first and see how it works. thanks!
@@anadialog Hello from Romania,
I have a Braun PS-500 belt drive with an intermediate idler wheel drive, it weighs a total of 12,6 kg, just the zinc alloy platter weighs 3 kg and the subplatter is from aluminium, it has 130 mm diameter below the platter and 80 mm diameter at the platter level, the latter also has a 80 mm inner hole diameter. ( at the base it is 0,8 mm larger, so it's a conical fit )
I have the original rubber mat ( the platter is 29,6 cm in diam. and has a 3 mm raised edge, the mat is smaller and fits inside the edge of the platter ) which has approx. 290 mm diameter, it is 5,85 mm ( maybe 6 mm when it was new, back in '74 ) has three concentric raised triangular profile rings, 3,5 mm in height.
Since every material influences the sound, I have yet to decide what type of mat to buy.
What do you recommend?
I will include a link with 2 tracks from HAIR album by James Last., Good Morning Starshine and Hare Krishna.
Phono stage: ARTcessories ART DJ Pre II, 200pf and low cut filter on, cartridge is Otrofon OM with 10 stylus ( elliptical bonded, aftermarket, silver gray plastic )
I have yet to buy a record cleaning device, distilled water and surfactant.
Link: https drive.google.com/file/d/1CjyzSTM39P0MhArs7j91FFXA0C9rkJOW/view?usp=sharing
Try another vinyl old one if possible I found this to make a real improvement over the supplied felt mat good luck
Your channel is fascinating! I watch one video and you say deluded stuff about cables or the sound of amplifiers. Then you make excellent and very useable videos on turntable set-up (those are great). It's hard not to take a liking to you and the channel (in spite of the misinformed audiophile delusion stuff) because you're so passionate, enthusiastic yet laid back and humble.
I'll take that as a compliment!
@@anadialog It was. Your channel is great and I learned a lot from you! I'm little harsh on cable woo and suspect audio tweaks since I know people who spent a lot more than they should on that stuff (I used believe if different sounding amps, cd player, dac etc. and could have save a fair share of money myself). I apologize if I came off as rude.
@@felixfranzen7578 thanks! I totally agree on the absurd prices, and if you know my channel you know that I promote DIY cables or suggest to hunt for the materials and not the brands. You just need OCC copper and possibly teflon insulation. That makes a difference, without any doubt, to my ears. Especially speaker cables and power cables. Interconnects a little less IMHO.
Nice video again. I play without a mat on my Clearaudio Performance.
I would have liked some descriptions of the kind of differences you experienced though.
Hello again Ivar, Yes, maybe you are right. Perhaps I Will add them in the video description. I just Think that all my considerations are strictly tied to my turntable and system in general. In any case maybe some comments may help!
Hi, Ivar. I just added some comments in the video description thanks to your observation!
With a POM (delrin) platter it is adviced against the use of a mat. The idea is that POM has similar characteristics as vinyl itself.
On my Concept I also play without mat.
I've tried most of what you exhibited, but the acrylic mats gives you most of the benefits of an acrylic platter. They come in 2mm, 4mm, and 6mm thickness and multiple colours.
+D. Paul Riderman, Yes I agree!
D. Paul Riderman yes, I agree! The Acrylic Mat is my Favorite, too!
@@georgedoughly6344 Can a Acrylic mat be used on a Rega planar 6?.. I hate the felt mat that came with it..thanks
I have the same TT as you but in black 1210G with a Orofon 2m Bronze cartridge. It's sounds nice with the standard mat but was thinking of a Acrylic mat from Hudson HI Fi. Not sure if it's even comparable.
Nice in black! I don't have mine anymore but I can say that the Funk firm acromat gave great results. The only problem is a load of static electricity.
I use a monster cable heavy rubber mat i bought in 81. To me its about not allowing drag to slip the lp
Ive always come back to a nice thick rubber mat as I feel it dampens surface resonance better than most anything else. Felt mats are given with lower cost tables because they are cheap and are great at holding pressed in or printed company logos. Many high quality tables such as early 80's Harman Kardon tables came with high density rubber for the resonance reasons I cited above. I think one very quickly gets to the point of diminishing returns on these uber exotic materials.
Rubber kills low frequencies. It has been acknowledged by several people and articles. In any case each turntable is a whole different story...
@@anadialog Ive heard that too, but I have plenty of smooth strong qualty bass with rubber mats so I never have seen anything personally to support this idea and I hear little to no difference in a felt mat and hard mats just seem wrong to me as I dont want a hard surface next to my softer vinyl and the hard surfaces offer no grip just slip which is fine for the record scratching and back cueing D.J. mentality but not for audiophile types. JMO - I will also state im no expert by any means and opinions are what they are - but again for sake of friendly discussion ive tried them all except for glass and leather and have 3 or 4 different types but always end up coming back to the synthetic rubber AT mat as I feel it adds mass and a damping effect to the aluminum or metal platter - which I admit one could argue kills bass I suppose, possibly just chalk it up to personal taste I guess. I have to say again, if you look at the A-T tables the cheap ones come with felt and the high end ones come mostly with the traditional silicone rubber, and I have to think they kind of learned something about turntable science in the last 40+ years - and my expensive Harman Kardon table from the early 80's came with a high density rubber mat, and that table was over $300 in the early 80's as well as the then highly regarded and very expensive Bang and Olufsons, high end Marantz, Pioneer etc etc , so wouldnt that have been considered the better quality mat by a leading manufacturer such as H-K and the others-? I also believe theres a certain amount of "snake oil" gimmickry that goes into some of the exotic mat materials and other areas of turntable gear - I think this is one of those discussions that could go on forever-lol I will however gladly read your link on the turntable mat above, never too old to learn.
Is it okay to use a taller rubber mat than the original felt mat that comes in an lp60x? I was wondering cause i have a broken old turntable but the mats perfect. Should I use ir or will it damage my records?
Hi, its not a problem or record damaging but of VTA, the vertical tracking angle of the cantilever. That will probably change and may not track correctly. I did change mine but I had more benefits from the mat than disadvantages from the incorrect VTA.
Just bought a Rega p2 after 14 years of project and had to put my old Cork mat, can't stand the soft stuff. I tried to buy the standard technics silicon mat for a change but the price was 27€ last week and 37€ this week... Its going to be cork again.
Teac produce some weird name japanese handmade paper mat for around 30 eur, which looks very similar like your expensive one you shown here. Maybe I'll try it once, it is 1 mm thick. I had 2mm cork mat for like 3 years and suddenly put stock felt mat. Stock felt mat had more airyness and sparkle on upper frequencies as well as more fast bass, although cork's midrange was alot better, but hi frequencies were clearly attenuated. This may be due VTA change as felt mat was very thin (tonearm probably was adjusted in factory with stock felt mat in mind) compared tu 2 mm cork. Now I'll try 1 mm thin cork/rubber mat, maybe this be best of both worlds. All in all is nice to have few mats for fine tuning recording to your liking:)
I've got one made of pulverized motorcycle tires and held together with a mixture of crazy glue and shredded hundred dollar bills. Great for Jazz but not so much for Classical although female vocals sound great. ;-) Under a thousand Euros too.
nice overview!
A related idea: i spent most of my life in Seattle but now enjoy a "hobby farm" in rural Kentucky. This coupled with family spread all over the US gives me opportunity to do a lot of travelling. What I started doing a few years ago is buying the custom mats from each record store I visit. I.e. I collect them as a form of "art" and a reminder of each store I visited.
I don't actually use them as mats, of course.😉
Cool!
Rob Wells,I have seen a photo somewhere on the internet,maybe Pintrest,I think.It looks really cool in a dedicated listening room,don't know if it would be "wife" friendly in the living room tho ;-)
PLEASE HELP!
I am looking to upgrade the rubber mat that came with my AT-LP3 to an acrylic platter mat. The specs say the rubber mat is 4.5mm thick, however the only acrylic mats I can find are 3mm or 5mm. My tonearm does not have VTA capability so I was wondering what the best option is? An acrylic mat that's 1.5mm lower than the stock one, a mat that's .5mm higher, OR should I buy a separate platter mat that's 1.5mm thick and put the 3mm acrylic mat on top of that?? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
I would get a 5mm mat. That 0.5 will most probably be compensated by the cart's cantilever. Don't worry and experiment! If it sounds good keep it otherwise send it back or sell it (obviously).
ANA[DIA]LOG Yeah I think 5mm is the way to go. Just wanted to be sure though. Thanks for the quick reply!
@@anadialog
Hey! I had one more question!
I recently bought a brand new AT LP-3 and when using a one-sided record to set the Anti-Skate, I noticed no matter how high I set the AS (max is 4) it never causes the tonearm to skate outwards. Furthermore, if I place the stylus closer to the center it stays still for a few seconds, but will eventually start to creep towards the label of the record. I currently have my tracking force set to 2.2 and my AS set to 4. Is this normal or should I contact them? I haven't noticed any crazy unbalance in the sound and it's not like the anti-skate has no effect whatsoever.
Antiskating in several cases is not strong enough even in my Technics I have the same problem. Can't do much about it.
When you switch mats with different thickness how does it affect the VTA? Most consumer turntables don't have a VTA adjustment. I just bought a Teac turntable that I love and the mat that came with it is very thin felt mat. I did replace it with a rubber mat but I am wondering if I messed up the VTA now. I cannot make out with my eyes if the arm is a little raised now but I have no difference in sound that I notice.
On that note, I watched another video where it was suggested that if say the cartidge weight specs was 1.8 - 2.2 grams and the recommended weight is 2.0 grams, then experiment with 1.8 for more treble and 2.2 for more bass. I am going to check that out.
It's good to regulate VTA but it's not vital IMHO. Otherwise we should start worrying for the different record thickness as well.
I also have the 1200G and want to improve a smidge on the mat - my mat is machined off centre a little and the indent doesn't work well with the clamp so the outside edges lift if I clamp!! - In your opinion (only) what would you suggest that is not stupidly expensive? I am trying my old Denon Mat which is different but not altogether better just a fuller bass...Oh and it clamps like a dream!
The funkfirm acromat is very good but builds loads of static
@@anadialog Apparently there is a new dual layer one coming out very soon
Question for you can you use the teac on top of the rubber mat on the technics sl1200g? Or is it better without it?
I tried. It sounds worse to my ears.
what mat would you recommend for an Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Turntable?
How about a funkfirm acromat?
Thank you for the video. I just want to ask because I also own 1200g. 1) Stein mat is very thin, much thinner than 1200 rubber mat. What about VTA? 2) Have you tried Achromat, Herbies Excellent or Boston mat?
True, the VTA isn't that perfect anymore. I am currently using the acrobat with the Stein mat on top with great results. Remember that before spending crazy prices for the Stein, consider the Washi mat from Teac. It's not exactly the same thing but quite close at a fraction of the price.
@@anadialog Thank you very much for your advice! So you are using achromat with stein on top! I am thinking go buying an achromat 5mm with the team on top as you suggest! Our original rubber mat is 3mm but I am thinking of 5mm just because some cartridges are 15mm height and 1200g starts from 17mm VTA. I currently own a Hana ML with is great but I am thinking buying a 103 for old warn records with is sorter. I also believe that 5mm achromat will also have more mass, so it will increase sound improvement. Do you use a clamp with achromat? I saw that you recumbent kab1000 as well. Do I have to order extra fluid? How is the density of the fluid?
Have you checked this video of mine? I present all these aspects: ua-cam.com/video/RbynPQSFs6I/v-deo.html
@@anadialog thank you for everything! I will order the teac and the acht
Achromat. But I still wonder about the herbies excellent mat....
Love the video. Love the background music as well. What is the background music?
Thanks! Don't remember though...:-(
Hello,
I just got a new cork slipmatt. Since the thickness of the slipmatt is about 3mm, do i have to lift my toneharm height 3mm up?
Thank you.
That could be...check if the arm is parallel to the platter...
@@anadialog i'll check it. Thanks for the advice.
Generally the census is a acromat is the best mat what is acrylic formula but not hard and not soft both together
@Fred c. Dobbs cork is good depends on the thickness tho! there's nothing wrong in trying something else! I've even heard sheets of newspaper supposed to be good.
Depends what you're platter is made from as well and not having a mat might be beneficial. Only thing I'll keep away from is felt not because it's not good but it attracts a lot of dust cause static build-up
Thank you
Great video. thanks ! You suggest hard platter over soft, if one (soft) is already on top. im a newbie in the game and bought a Thorens TD166. And now i bought the Washi paper on Amazon (its on his way). As you say in the Video, it depends on so many things. Still, what is your opinion on wich platter should go with a Thorens(TD166).
Greets
Welcome on board! Unfortunately I don't have an answer. Try both, hard and soft and decide. It also depends a lot on your cartridge. Hard is usually better...
Does cork mat produce minute cork flakes which can get to the record grooves?
No no, don't worry!
I have an AT-LP120XUSB. Not the best TT, but not the worst. After a great deal of experimentation, an acrylic TT mat underneath and a leather TT mat (suede side up) works best on my TT.
Bravo! Everyone needs ro experiment and find their own mat!
@@anadialog My TT does not have VTA. The acrylic is a little thinner than the felt mat that came with it. The leather is just thick enough to account for the difference. I get the best of both worlds. A rigid platter mat, and a soft platter mat.
Have you tried the TEAC Washi Paper mat? It seems like it might get you 90% of the Stein PI mat for 20% (or less) the price. I use one on my Rega and like it a lot.
I haven't but I am sure you're right
Aside from the expensive mat you showed in the video, what mat would you recommend for a Technics SL 1200? Hard or soft? Also, I'm not sure I understand why you would get a hard mat. Why not just put the LP directly on the platter?
Probably a Teac Washi, very similar to mine, or a funkfim acromat although extremely static active. Directly on platter not good. Tried.
@@anadialog Thanks. I'll look for the Teac.
hi, what did you think about the clearaudio emotion? how does it compare to the technics? thanks
I must admit that the Clearaudio was dam good, especially considering its price. The Technics is better, you really get micro nuances out of the music... BUT it is not 4 times better the Clearaudio, while the price is!
@@anadialog how about compared to an sl1200 mk5?
Excellent video mate. Crystal clear explanations and pretty honest with the recommendations. Cheers
I have a Rega Planar 2 with the glass platter. The felt pad never got used as I don't like them either. I ordered and use the Herbie Foam pad that fits the platter (295mm wide by 2mm thick). I've used them on another turntable I have and I really like the way it lowers any rumble or other noises I don't want to hear.
Interesting! Nice product...thank you for your suggestion!
I've tried felt foam cork rubber and a acrylic.The only thing I discovered was I don't like where the outer edge of the acrylic meets the record.No positive differences in any of them.
I think I've heard the words "typology" or "typologies" more in the last ten minutes than I have in all the other 60 years of my life put together. Apart from the torrent of typology this is very interesting, I've just bought an Elusive Audio AcrySS Acrylic Turntable Mat for my AT-LP5 which seems to work well.
Yes, sorry about that. In Italy we use it a lot. Good choice for the mat!
@@anadialog All the "typologies" aren't wrong they are just unusual to my aging ears. 😁 I tried a cork, felt and the original rubber mat on my ancient Sansui SR222 turntable and I decided rubber was best. Recently I bought a new Acoustic Technica AT-LP5 (OEM rubber mat,) and with my Goldring 2300 cartridge it sounds good but with the Elusive Audio AcrySS acrylic mat it sounds even better. I enjoy your videos. Thanks.
@@welshskies Thank you Nick!
I am glad that somebody else noticed this misused word. "Type" is correct for this meaning. Keep it simple, folks.
Felt mat are not bad....far from that...at least for Rega Turntables....I have tested several ones ( including the Herbie Audio's Lab ) and the best sound in my opinion was the original Rega's felt mat. Other types at a first glance seem to improve the bass extension as well as improve the background noise, however, after a careful listening, you realize that the soundstage is not well defined and you miss ambience and details on high frequencies...the sound lose air and liveness.
For viewer’s info, the Ion cheap turntable, has 3 rubber tabs for anti slip, do not leave a record on it overnight, the record stuck and it ruined it.
Thanks for your experience!
Please try the isolateit sorbothane mat.
I got a cork mat it sucked ....... to my records, Dual 1218 built 1970, the 1218 is undersize and I wanted something a little larger. I use a mixed carbon fiber mat and it works for me very well.
Louis In Name Only : this is a good one. I have a 1225 and love it
In your introduction, I can see a reflection in your tv screen.
A cat looks out the window, curiously... 😊
My concern about glass or acrylic mats is that their smoothness permits the record to randomly slip on them, introducing wow and flutter.
My mid-80s Luxman PD 284 has a heavy aluminum platter that rings like a bloody church bell, but the rubber mat that comes with the turntable completely deadens this ringing. Plus, the rubber nicely grips the records, helping to maintain the rock-steady speed of the whole unit.
If that should be a problem, even though I never experienced any, uou can use a stabilizer or a clamp.
I wonder if anyone (other than a mat manufacturer) has done an analysis of sound waves using different mats from an identical recording, using the same cartridge, etc. I believe it's possible that it makes a difference, but my first thought was that it must be a VERY TINY difference-- especially considering the very slight downward pressure of the stylus and then the record itself has a certain mass and hardness. I suspect that the difference that the mat might make (if any) would be much more pronounced when playing thinner, softer vinyl vs. those heavyweight, hard records from the 50's and early 60's, for example.
That could be interesting! Nevertheless, it is not a fact of pressure and response to it but resonance and vibrations as well as micro movements of the record on the mat/platter! The difference is there, no night to day results but worth trying in my opinion!
Now I'm curious to know how much the record actually vibrates-- and how much of that vibration goes through the vinyl to the mat-- and how much of that would come back to the stylus. I suspect that felt and then rubber were used by manufacturers because of the abilities of those materials prevent wear and tear to the record and to dampen the vibrations from the machine-- rather than the vibration from the stylus. If one believes in the benefits of a harder mat, the best combination in that case would be rubber underneath acrylic. Interesting topic.
When I look at that open reel deck, my mouth waters
😂
So the "Stein Music Perfect Interface" is about $250 US, the black one is another $100 bucks making it $350, then the Black with carbon is $650.00. Since you have the white version I would like you to check out the TEAC "WASHI" Turntable Sheet "TA--TS30UN-BW" it's only $29 US and made from Washi Japanese paper and stone paper made from limestone to add weight and durability. It would be cool if you could compere the two. The TEAC mat visually looks similar I'd like to know if it's the same thing at a much cheaper price.
I had gotten the black one but it made no difference. Stein himself gave me the white one and thinks finally changed! I haven't tried the washi but I am pretty sure it's the same thing. Also others have claimed so!
My girl decided to bring home a 6month old Husky last Monday. I didn’t know it was coming. Long story short the new addition chewed up my platter mat. In search of a new one I see all types of recommended thickness for my table(Technics 1200GR(2021))... 3mm, 4mm(Herbies), 5mm(Funk Mat) and even 6mm(older technics). What’s the importance of this? I don’t quite understand VTA but it seems to be reason why thicker platter mats are preferred for this particular table. Is 6mm to thick? Is 5mm the sweet spot? Using the MP200 cartridge(if that plays a part).
Im currently investing in to protecting my cables from the pup...just in case. :p
Technics 1200GR (2021)
Just make sure the tonearm is parallel to the platter with the mat and record on it then your good...you can fo even more but that is a good starting point. I liked a lot the Acromat (though it had loads of static) or even better but insanely expensive, the perfect interface by Stein...it is the best though. Similar to it is the Washi mat by Teac.
@@anadialog that Teac mat you mentioned in one of your videos did wonders removing static. Prob say it reduced my static by 90%. Have you had any experience with the Hexmat Eclipse? It's also expensive.
I haven't!
Would be good if you could make another video but focused on static Generation/protection from the mat. Some folks say that leather is best for this...has that been your experience?
All static problem are solved withe the Milty gun.
@@anadialog that’s cool! How did you test it?
I always have a lot of static on my records, which attracts dust and influences negatively the groove tracking. I am discussed about this and other solutions, here: ua-cam.com/video/5_DKkllTwys/v-deo.html
My acrylic platter turntable says not to use a mat
Because acrylic is one of the best materials, I agree!
The best and cheapest mat is bubble wrap. You buy a piece of this or you may have from a parcel and you put a record upon it and you draw with a marker a circle around the record and a small circle at the center, you cut with the scissors and you have a mat which blocks any vibrations from the motor. The air bubbles do a fine job and block any unwanted distortion and the sound is clear. Try it it's so cheap. Greetings.
Cool! A little ugly though...
@@anadialog It's not my idea. I read it back at an old issue of HI-Fi Choice (around '80s-'90s) along with other tips for turntables. I don't remember the other tips but I tried the tip with the bubble warp mat and I found it very simple and effective. As for ugly, there are coloured bubble warps (red, yellow, blue, green, purple,etc.) so you make coloured bubble warp mats and you change every day the colour of your platter. Best wishes.
Do scratch djs and turntablists give you guys nightmares?
No one seams to talk about keeping the styles at the right attack angle. Well I am on the hunt for a true replacement for my SL-D2.
Right here: ua-cam.com/video/v-YyKktxadg/v-deo.html
the cat in the reflection adds a lot to the video.
I'm looking at an acrylic mat. I only worry that some reviews say the acrylic "slips" on the platter when starting the motor.
You could use one or two pieces of bihadesive...
2010stoof I use an acrylic mat on my turntable and use it with a weight, no slippage whatsoever
@@angusvanhalen2886 excellent choice!
Any one try the Res-o-Mat?
Typology?
Word of the day: Typology
It must have a different definition outside Britain.
Hi, as explained seversl times I am half Italian and half American so I do make a lot of these wrong translation mistakes. Sorry about that.
@@anadialog No need to apologise. It's not that important.
Would make for a good drinking game, couple of videos later you would be passed out on the floor. LOL
@@anadialog Don't apologize. It's cool. Very asmr. I have the same comments on my German (American living in Germany). Dont change it! It's you!
what are the advantages of a turntable mat?
In some cases it can make the reading more precise and with less vibrations, which deliver a better sound, especially in the low end and the details of timber and transients. In some cases nothing changes.
Is there a white rubber mat?
Indeed! How about this one: srm-tech.co.uk/epages/4c008923-2265-416e-a207-cc9dd8b06028.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/4c008923-2265-416e-a207-cc9dd8b06028/Products/SPM1
I made mine from a thin bit of rubber. After 50 years, the original went hard. Not happy I would have expected more..
The idle wheel in my 1968 gram feels better.
I have a problem that I cannot find any solution for. Anywhere? That the mat does not solve, for me. I like to play LOUD. But am unable to get the bass levelled to the rest.
If I turn OFF all electricity to the turntable. Lower the MC P.U. to stand still on the surface of a record. The sound set to the Vol. level I want to listen to. Everything goes into a microphonic bass humming-like feedback-spinn -rather alike a ground loop hum which I don't have!!?! The turntable placed on 2 iron-angles screwed into the brick-wall to reduce any vibration from outside. A small satellite speaker at a distance of more than 1 m.. pointing away from the direction of the TT..?!!? This microphonic muuuuuuhhhh makes it impossible to get any decent bass-volume level. What causes this? Can another type of MAT reduce this? HARD acrylic would make it worse? In my opinion? As soon as the tonearm is lifted. NO noise whatsoever!!!!?! Any Suggestions to this big problem? Turntable: Audio-technica AT-LP120XUSB - Pickups: Ortofon: MC SL 15/and MC 15 Super II/Nagaoka MP-150/ Grado ZF3. It's The same problem with all the P.U's!! Regardless?! With or without Behringer Micro HD400 Hum Destroyer...Put on??! K.R.'s Steff! :o{
Did you try a different cartridge?
It’s added more static and dust by using a felt mat.
Flat rubber mat and a cheap record clamp. Never use a clamp or weight with a mat that has a record label recess, this will lift up the outer edge of the record making it more unstable. Best two upgrades you can make are, quality screened cables and upgrade your stylus.
so basically anything goes ?
It depends by your TT! Stiff is usually better...experiment!
The most basic requirement is not to ruin the sound. The Pro-Ject felt mats are horrible. The make the records full of static once you play one side. Sometimes the mat sticks to the record and leaves hair and felt fibers all over the record. I got a cork and at least fixed that don't know about the sound.
Can I use a wood mat?
Try, perhaps with something in between...
Is cork mat hard or soft?
Cork is soft...
@@anadialog Thanks. I'm gonna buy hard one.
@@petrlizatko1794 good idea!
Salve, visto che leggo che sei italiano, approfittiamo per fare due scambi di opinione nella nostra lingua madre....Comunque, prima di tutto, a parte piccoli errori di pronuncia, complimenti perchè padroneggi la lingua inglese molto bene.... La mia curiosità è se hai mai avuto la possibilità di provare il mat dedicato al Technics 1200, della Funk Firm Achromat da 3 o, meglio ancora da 5 mm di spessore. Leggo in giro molti utenti che parrebbero soddisfatti delle migliorie apportate da questo mat. Altra mia curiosità è a questo punto, dato che mi sembra di capire che sei più verso un mat rigido, acrilico, vetro, ecc,... proprio per il fatto che il "platter" in alluminio del SL1200 ha un leggero scalino (lip) al suo estremo bordo, per cui il diametro max di mat posizionabile è cm. 28.7..... Quale tipologia di quale brand vende un mat con suddette misure??? Ti sfido a fare una ricerca... Ti assicuro che ho navigato in Rete in lungo ed in largo.... NOTHING FOUND!!! Grazie e saluti, Alex.
Ciao Alex, si sono al 50% statunitense. Alcuni termini però dovrei ripassarmeli! ;-)
Non ho provato il funkfirm ma ho sentito da alcune fonti autorevoli che quel modello non è il massimo per il mio Technics (su altri modelli ovviamente non so). Si, tendo a preferire i matt solidi e infatti sfrutto il pesantissimo piatto da 7kg del Technics SL1200G mettendo sopra, vome avrai visto, un'interfaccia molto sottile, non un vero e proprio mat. Devo dire che il matt originale Techn8cs con il quale il giradischi era equipaggiato è assolutamente fantastico. Infatto, cone ho detto nel video, la mia soluzione finale migliora di poco la situazione, soprattutto considerando il prezzo dello Stein.
Grazie e a presto!
Can I put one on my Crosley to minimise the damage caused by not having a full stable base plate?
My experience with felt and cork was horrible, everytime they stucked with a record after playing music. Then I forund original mat from Technics SL-BD20 and put it on my turntable and it is the best. No static at all and also a lot of sound improvement over other mats. But Technics mats are not cheap plastic, it is special material. You can find some new chinese made mats, which look similar but they won`t do the same job.
I agree!
A funk firm Achromat is the one for me!!!
Got it. Very good but loads of static
What is typology ?
A study of typing.
Is that a real word ?
I’ve heard of criminology, zoology, anthropology but never typology
Its a real word, but it isn't being used correctly here. It does not mean type. Its the study of classification of things. AFAIK.
True, as I have explained in Italian we use it a lot in the sense of type. In my work I use it as A typology, a classification of things.
I have to say it's pretty miserly for tt brands to skimp on an item that costs an average of $20 when their products are upwards of 500+ $. It's like going to a fancy restaurant and they charge you for iced tea refills
Washi paper is also my favorite type of mat I've bought a Teac TA-T30UN mat a few years ago for about 20€ I think they still sell it
cork
Maybe carbon fiber is nice option
Glass platter. Go commando.
That Stein mat (£200?) is identical to the TEAC Washi mat (£30). Someone got ripped off. "Special trees" indeed.....
It is not identical, by no means, I have both. But I would not recommend the Stein considering the price, even though it is the best sounding.
@@anadialog You thank another commenter for pointing out that they are identical in your comments, and acknowledge the same below. Now, according to you, they are not identical "by no means"....
i've got a custom mat made from fine Corinthian leather.
500 euros, insane
That is a lot of vinyl I could buy for 500 eu
Never, but whatever floats your boat. I guess you have to believe it sounds better
It does...bit only a little...I did ask to return it but...a strange store tool place at that point...I may recount it one day!
Stein alternative? www.teac.com/product/ta-ts30un/ and a lot cheaper. Would love for you to AB this with the Stein. Thanks, Bill
Bill! That is fantastic! Thanks for your suggestion. I Will definitely try this and let you know!