Any recommendations for a good anti static turntable mat?

Man, their blog has some serious audiophile porn!

 

Matt Rotunda at Pitch Perfect Audio in Ca. There are two mats, The A23 Standard and the Hommage. My fav of the two is the Hommage pictured in my Avatar...

 

Yup I have the homage as well. It is great.

 

I have the Millennium Carbon Fiber Record Mat (retails for $390) that I haven't used in forever. Kinda forgot about it since Brinkmann suggests not using a mat. PM me if anyone is interested in acquiring it.

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-3239-millennium-carbon-fiber-record-mat.aspx

 

I use cork mat, no static and better sonics.

 

Bought one the leather mats you recommended for my Technics 1200 mk2 with AT440ml. I experimented today with a record (Mofi Weezer) that was sounding too muddy to me. I put the leather mat on top of the stock technics mat, adjusted vta, flipped the stock rubber mat around, listened some more, listened again with just rubber mat etc. Best result was taking off the stock rubber mat completely and placing the leather mat directly on the platter. I tweaked the VTA a bit but didn't get all geometry 101 about it. Everything opened up a bit, bass tighter, and not muddy.

Also the vendor has the best packaging ever.

 

Yes, my best results were with removing the stock rubber mat on my Denon also. The deer hide sounds great.
Glad you like it too. Looks nice also, right?
Did you put the leather side up or down?

 

I have the leather side up. You? It definitely looks better than the stock mat.

 

Yes, up for me as well

 

Scottish Deer Hide for me as well ( leather side up ) , looks nice, black tan finish

 

Did this mat do everything it claims in the link you provided?

 

Did you experience any sonic differences with that deerhide mat beyond the static suppression?

 

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I know many people seem to like the under $30 cork mats.
http://www.needledoctor.com/Simple-Mat-Record-Mat?sc=2&category=420

 

What is the opinion on deer hide vs cork?

 

Not sure about the cork, but I love my deer hide.

 

I've haven't heard or tried the deer hide but use the George Merrill GEM Dandy RCC Mat. It's a combo of rubber and cork and has got good reviews. Can be purchased from his site www.hifigem.com and www.sleevecity.com It's inexpensive at $59.00 compared to more expensive mats. George is a audio legend and knows turntables. There's a good review at www.dagogo.com

 

Slightly off topic but I am confused with the thickness of the mats. Some are 1/8" and others are 1/4". How do I know which types to buy? I have a ATLP120 TT and am using the felt mat that came with it.

 

I think your turntable has a VTA adjustment so you can compensate for the different thickness of mats. Some can hear differences in VTA changes while others can't and some turntables don't have the adjustment. To determine the thickness of your stock mat with comparisons to others you'll need some digital calipers.

 

Just reviving this thread. I've had a Herbie's for years, but I don't find it all that great when it comes to static. I get horrible static issues, especially with new LPs that I'm playing for the first time. When lifting the LP off the mat, it's incredible how it wants to cling to the mat, and you actually hear the crackle and pop when doing so.

I've just ordered a Jake's Deer Hide mat, and I'm looking forward to hear if there any sonic improvements. This mat comes highly recommended.

Until it shows up I'm going to experiment with putting a bounce dryer sheet between the metal platter and the mat. I've heard this works as well.

 

Can you elaborate on this method? Are you talking about the actual Swiffer pads used for dusting? I would think this would make matters worse, no?

Have you ever tried Bounce dryer sheets?

 

Yes, this is what I ordered. Interestingly enough, he told me it was not necessary to give him my TT model? I guess he cuts to standard size? Are you still enjoying the mat?

 

I'm talking about regular, unscented Swiffer cloths that usually go on the end of a mop type gadget. They pick up all manner of dust,lint, etc. off the platter and reduce static significantly. Just lightly run it over the platter and occasionally around the plinth. For extreme static go gently over the record too. Dry brush before playing.

No, I haven't tried the Bounce thing. I think the Swiffer does the same thing.

Edit: I'm using the stock 1200MKII rubber mat.

 

Thanks, I'll give that a go. This morning I placed a bounce sheet under my Herbie's mat, and I think that did the trick. No popping and no static when I removed the LP from the platter. This could be the trick.

Looking forward to getting that deer hide mat though, very curious.

 

I have the deer hide mat too, and like it. On my Thorens TD145, I find its best over the rubber mat, leather side up.

To the OP, the only thing that worked for me to get rid of static is wet cleaning. I tried a humidifier, carbon fiber brushes, deer hide mat etc... I ended up wet cleaning all my records and haven't had static issues since...

 

Interesting...I got a Music Hall 7.1 that came with a felt mat and it would stick to most every record new or otherwise. Once I switched to a Herbie's mat I have never had a single instance of this happening. Maybe the metal platter on your turntable has something to do with it. The deer hide mat your ordered should do the trick...good luck.