Author Topic: Turntable mats and their difference  (Read 4387 times)

Offline S Clark

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Turntable mats and their difference
« on: June 11, 2020, 06:24:53 PM »
I know most of you guys are digital oriented, but I'm guessing that at one time, vinyl played a bigger part. 
Years ago, a group did an evening of listening devoted to changing out turntable mats.  Every one present could clearly discern differences- even on an inexpensive JVC DD table with a Dynavector 10x5 cartridge. 
Based on my very limited experience, I use a Herbie's.  What are the other that deserve a listen?
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Offline Folsom

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Re: Turntable mats and their difference
« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2020, 10:12:48 PM »
Herbies sounds horrid to me.

But I have never beat cork (the cheap kind that's more random) on rubber.

Offline P.I.

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Re: Turntable mats and their difference
« Reply #2 on: June 11, 2020, 10:17:59 PM »
Herbies sounds horrid to me.

But I have never beat cork (the cheap kind that's more random) on rubber.
Careful.  The PC manufacturer police will come for you... in the middle of the night.... with words....

 :rofl:

Years ago I used a Sorbothane mat that had a thin layer of cork on it.  For the life of me I can’t remember who made it.  IIRC it came from England.
« Last Edit: June 11, 2020, 10:20:52 PM by P.I. »
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Offline jimbones

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Re: Turntable mats and their difference
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2020, 05:58:45 AM »
I find you just have to try different mats, some dull the sound out too much. Kind of like Goldilocks, you will find one the is just right.
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Offline BobM

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Re: Turntable mats and their difference
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2020, 06:09:29 AM »
I agree with Jim. You have to play around. Not all mats sound good, in fact, I tried a few and came back to putting the record straight on the platter.

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Offline Triode Pete

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Re: Turntable mats and their difference
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2020, 08:20:41 AM »
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Offline rollo

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Re: Turntable mats and their difference
« Reply #6 on: June 12, 2020, 08:38:06 AM »
  They sound different. If you cannot adj. your VTA stay away IMO. No PC Police" CLASS".  :duh



charles
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Offline jimbones

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Re: Turntable mats and their difference
« Reply #7 on: June 12, 2020, 10:07:15 AM »
so true Charles, need VTA as it is another variable.
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Offline Folsom

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Re: Turntable mats and their difference
« Reply #8 on: June 12, 2020, 10:34:02 AM »
VTA is where you'll get the magic. But without a good mat setup or platter that'll work... you'll never get there, either. IMO

Offline S Clark

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Re: Turntable mats and their difference
« Reply #9 on: June 12, 2020, 02:28:31 PM »
VTA is where you'll get the magic. But without a good mat setup or platter that'll work... you'll never get there, either. IMO
Since all my arms are adjustable, VTA is a solvable problem. 

Pete, is that Stein Music mat paper, or carbon fiber, or both?  The manufacturer site states one, then the other, then they go off in some metaphysical quantum physics hype.  "Quantum-physically and rigorously optimized carbon composite concept with SteinMusic Epads for a perfect interaction of record, system and plate. " But then it says materials are "artistically" applied lacquer to paper???
Regardless, what do you like about it?
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Offline dpatters

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Re: Turntable mats and their difference
« Reply #10 on: June 13, 2020, 07:15:01 AM »
Truly system dependent. I had cork/rubber which was ok. Herbies mat worked better in my system.
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Offline rollo

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Re: Turntable mats and their difference
« Reply #11 on: June 13, 2020, 10:21:24 AM »
  The thickness of the mat will require a VTA adj. I have found mats matter. Which one Oy ! I like the Mapleshade mat. Check out Mapleshade TT tweaks. Very affective in reducing noise.





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Offline S Clark

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Re: Turntable mats and their difference
« Reply #12 on: June 30, 2020, 07:09:04 AM »
So you're restoring a Fairchild. Those are cool old tables.   :thumb:  Sort of the Cadillac of broadcast tables.
I've got an old idler Collins that I rebuilt from a local radio station.  It was a fun project.
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=106532.0
« Last Edit: June 30, 2020, 08:06:11 AM by S Clark »
Speaker-GR Research LS9-XStatik-AltecFlamenco
Amp-Moscode,Dodd,Folsom
Pre-Dodd
Turntable-Vyger,Victor,TechnicSP10MK2
Phonopre-Hagermann,Jolida,GSlee   
Cable-AudioSensibility Wywires TWL
Cartridge-Dynavector,Sumiko
Tonearm-PioneerP3,Jelco
Rythmic sub

Offline Nick B

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Re: Turntable mats and their difference
« Reply #13 on: June 30, 2020, 09:52:52 AM »
I always enjoy hearing about restoration projects and seeing the pics. Had never heard of the Fairchild and Collins brands, though. Many years ago I had a friend who was an audio enthusiast and one of his pieces was a very large Rek O Kut turntable. Maybe it was a broadcast table. He also had some Marantz tube gear.
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