What turntable mats are folk using?
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: Turntable Audio
Forum Name: High Fidelity Turntable User
Forum Description: Technical Q&A, hints and tips
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4348
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 5:07am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: What turntable mats are folk using?
Posted By: morris_minor
Subject: What turntable mats are folk using?
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2017 at 8:06pm
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I've always been quite a sceptic about “tweaks” in hifi terms, and was, for instance, a complete agnostic when it came to cables. Graham's Spatia cable and his interconnects showed me how wrong I'd been about this. Likewise, the effects of different turntable mats have always seemed to me to be pretty minor and not worth making a big fuss over. But recently I was tempted to get an Analogue Seduction crystal glass mat for my PTP Solid12 (Lenco) platter. I'd never really liked the fact that the stock Lenco mat didn't support the record across it's whole width – having raised areas for 12, 10 and 7 inch discs. Also reading how some Lenco users reported benefits to using this, I decided to give it a go - - thinking I could sell it on for only a modest cost penalty. To make sure I wasn't reliant on memory alone for the swap I recorded a track from my go-to test record (a Spyro Gyra release on GRP) but used the rubber mat from my Kenwood deck – which does support the record all the way across – so the only variable would be the material of the mat. (This is assuming I could replicate the VTA after fitting the deeper glass mat – which with a little bubble level I'm pretty sure I did.) With the glass mat in place (and with a very thin slip mat between this and the platter), the track was re-ripped, keeping levels the same of course. I was really unprepared for the results. The soundstage appeared wider, bass a little deeper but much more detailed and had more texture and character, sparkly treble was more tangible and the mids, well, they weren't changed too much. What was a shock was looking at the waveforms in the audio editor. Both had been recorded at the same level, but the glass mat had a wave with a fatter visual profile all round – more energy and volume. Altogether more engaging and involving. Result! The only downside is that the depth of the mat means that there's not a lot of spindle above the mat so using a Michell clamp, for instance, is out of the question. But I almost always use a weight anyway, so this isn't too important. What kind of mats do folk here use, and what kinds work best on their turntables?  ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Replies:
Posted By: Richardl60
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2017 at 9:19pm
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I have only ever tried the stock mat on my Luxman direct drive - replaced with a funk firm achromat. Certainly a worthwhile improvement. My other experinenve many years ago was with two felt Mats on a Source Oddesey. The differences were similar to those Bob describes in many ways. |
Posted By: Aussie Mick
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2017 at 10:58pm
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I’m a Rega user, but I’m not really certain how much I want to buy in to the ethos as a whole. I use a “Graham Slee complete engineering solution” because I enjoy the sound and believe in the man. So, I use a “Rega solution” for TT. I know they believe whole heartedly in the felt mat they supply, so I’ve never tried anything else, and I’m perfectly happy. I suppose it couldn’t hurt to try, right? Right?!?! ------------- Rega RP8 - Apheta 2 - Accession MC Enigma PS -Solo ULDE (Focal Utopia) - PS Audio M700 - Fical Kanta No2 |
Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 8:49am
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I used to use a felt melt on a glass platter; both original Manticore Mantra parts. I (Inspire HiFi at my request) replaced them with an acrylic platter and acrylic mat. It certainly cured problem of static, but I don’t know if it changed the sound. ------------- Ifor ===== Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair. |
Posted By: Chris Firth
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 9:12am
I remember reading comments by Roy Gandy about turntable use. It was a good few years ago, and his views might have changed. There were a few things that he said that I disagreed with, and I still disagree with. The first was VTA. He said it didn't matter much. VTA is, in my experience, very important to get right. What RG neglected to say was that that Rega TTs come fitted with a Rega cart, which has quite a shallow body - it has been designed to work with a standard factory non setup, so the adjustment parameters don't have to be tinkered with when you et the deck home. Change anything, such as a cartridge, or a mat, and you then have to start coming up with ways around the Rega lack of adjustment. He also said it wasn't worth working all that hard keeping your records clean, and you should play your records with the lid down, because it helps stop the record getting dirty. The lid down thing is wrong - it needs to be off the deck altogether when playing records. All of the turntables I've had sound better in use with the lid off, and I've used both suspended and non suspended designs. The lid is great for reintroducing flutter vibrations back into the record, which are then picked up by the cartridge. Take the lid off and you can immediately hear improved tracking, and the sound gains clarity. Cleaning your records clean is just good housekeeping. The less dirt you have in the groove the less friction there is at the stylus tip, and consequently there's less wear on both the record and the stylus. Both record and stylus last longer. |
Aussie Mick wrote:Posted By: Aussie Mick
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 2:18am
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Hey Chris, I agree with you 100% about cleaning and VTA. I’ve run Ortofon carts as well as my current Rega, and the shims I used gave me options of lift from 0.5mm to 3.5mm in 0.5mm increments. Every height made a clear difference. I suppose I’m still just wondering, do I want to open the mats can of worms. Mick. ------------- Rega RP8 - Apheta 2 - Accession MC Enigma PS -Solo ULDE (Focal Utopia) - PS Audio M700 - Fical Kanta No2 |
Posted By: Chris Firth
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 2:24am
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Well Mick, Before you mess with mats, have you tried the deck without lid yet? As I've said, I have heard an improvement with every TT that I've used when the lid is removed. As for mats - what's the platter made of? |
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 9:56am
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You would like to think that turntable manufacturers had undergone extensive testing of all types of mat or platter surface to get the best possible performance from their equipment. But I suppose that assumes that there is an objective standard to measure that performance by. (You can tell I've just read Graham's latest post about subjectivity . . . ). The fact that so many variations in mat/platter material exist show (IMO) that personal preference trumps objectivity when it comes to recreating a sound that fulfils the purpose you demand of it. ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 11:28am
Yet still they abhor tone controls  ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: Richardl60
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 12:41pm
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Yes bob I agree over mats for Turntable manufacturers and also as pointed out elsewhere with lids, construction materials and feet/isolation. So far as electronics go you would also expect perhaps that different electrical components are also auditioned along with internal cabling, solder and sockets. With speakers again internal wiring, binding posts and components. With cabling materials, core diameters, purity, shielding materials (if used), plug types and materials and solder if used. There are many variables )more than I have mentioned and whilst I know some manufacturers do audition the areas outlined above I strongly suspect the vast majority do not apply the attention to detail that can make the difference. Design is key but so is the attention to detail - quite possibly why there is a niche out there for the aftermarket who have the time and will to invest which maybe sometimes the manufacturers have not and in some cases but not all would result in higher sale costs. |
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 6:53pm
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It may not just be attention to detail at fault here, but a necessity to build to a price point of course. For money-no-object designs there is no excuse - just a willingness on the part of maker to take a marginally smaller profit. But the cynic in me says that even high cost (I almost said 'high value' which is an entirely different thing) items suffer from penny pinching . . . ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: Aussie Mick
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2017 at 8:12am
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Hi Chris, Yes, lid off always! I’m also running the RP8 “nude”, sans outer plinth, since I don’t use the lid and I have sole occupancy of my listening room. Mick. ------------- Rega RP8 - Apheta 2 - Accession MC Enigma PS -Solo ULDE (Focal Utopia) - PS Audio M700 - Fical Kanta No2 |
Posted By: Old skool
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2018 at 2:52pm
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My record mat is polished carbon fibre. Seems weird after rubber or felt mats but that’s what Inspire supplied with the DC Carbon LP12. Looks cool anyway
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Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2018 at 5:40pm
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That's an interesting choice, how does it sound Tim? ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: Old skool
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2018 at 5:56pm
| not my choice. How it came. The fella who built it did explain the principles behind the design but I forget what they were... |
Posted By: Old skool
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2018 at 5:57pm
| I’d say it sounds good but with no comparison who can tell? |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 10:51am
And that's the test that matters  ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2018 at 10:17am
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I've had more turntable mats than hot dinners. Well, slight exaggeration - but it's a really cheap way of trying to improve the performance. But some you win, others you lose, and a few are draws. The latter category includes the Funk Firm Achromat I bought recently to try out on my new Yamaha TT. It turned out to be no better or worse than the stock mat! C'est la vie . . . Consequently I'm offering the Achromat for sale here £25 incl. UK postage to anyone wishing to try it out for less than half the retail price. This review on TNT is worth a read: https://www.tnt-audio.com/accessories/funk_e.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.tnt-audio.com/accessories/funk_e.html Drop me a PM if interested.  ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2018 at 8:52pm
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That's a very good price Bob. I thought replacing my Technics mat with the Achromat 1200 really helped and I later sold it on for about your price to a 1200/II owner as I had acquired an Oyaide metal mat. I think I have owned more mats than cartridges, but definitely had more hot dinners. ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |