Rubber; Cork, Acrylic or Wool.

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by Prof Yuri, Feb 2, 2015.

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  1. Prof Yuri

    Prof Yuri Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    England
    I would be interested to learn what the members favour when it comes to supporting their LP's?
    I would also like to know why you have chosen what you have?
    Which is best?
     
  2. raferx

    raferx Forum Resident

    Location:
    Vancouver, Canada
    I use a Pro-Ject black suede mat on my Rega RP6 after getting fed-up with the BS Rega felt mat and static/dust.
    To my ears the suede has a far smoother/liquid presentation than felt or cork. Never tried rubber.
    Also, zero static issues now.
    I'd really like to hear the GT Delrin platter on my RP6 though.
     
    Long Live Analog and Prof Yuri like this.
  3. tyinkc

    tyinkc Senior Member

    Location:
    Fontana, Wisconsin
    I use a cork mat on my Music Hall MMF 9.1 table. Really solved the dust/static issue for me. Seemed to improve the bottom end to me, although you know how it is, I'm thinking of trying the Music Hall MOO mat. I heard it demonstrated and was impressed. I know, I need help!:help:.
     
  4. Vernoona

    Vernoona Well-Known Member

    acrylic on my Rega. sacrelidge I know, but no stupid dust mat clinging to the records and it sounds great to me!
     
    Long Live Analog likes this.
  5. Ash76

    Ash76 Wait actually yeah no

    My Pro-Ject 5.1 came with a felt mat and a cork mat. I've used the cork mat since day 1 and have been happy
     
  6. The Pinhead

    The Pinhead KING OF BOOM AND SIZZLE IN HELL

    Love the thick rubber OEM mat my Pioneer has. No static issues unless the record compound is utter @hite in which case no other mat has ever been able to improve the situation. Played an lp today in 98% humidity but prolly a lot less due to the AC (summer here)
     
  7. jupiterboy

    jupiterboy Forum Residue

    Location:
    Buffalo, NY
    Mine has some sort of open cell foam matt. I suspect it is very similar to what Herbies sells.
     
    Cosmicgram33 and Prof Yuri like this.
  8. Rolltide

    Rolltide Forum Resident

    Location:
    Vallejo, CA
    I think it's best to use the mat the manufacturer provides, as the best table designs take into account how the record is coupled to the platter. My last two tables were designed to be used sans-mat, which is my preference. I never understood the felt mat my Rega came with, it mostly just seemed to make records dirty.
     
    The Pinhead likes this.
  9. utahusker

    utahusker Senior Member

    Cork here, because it's permanently adhered to my platter on my Avid.
     
  10. jriems

    jriems Audio Ojiisan

    Thick rubber OEM mat on my Technics SL-1210Mk2, mounted upside-down. No complaints!
     
    marvingunderman likes this.
  11. Long Live Analog

    Long Live Analog Forum Resident

    Location:
    West Tn. Mid South
    Groovetracer Delrin Platter....No mat
     
    scotpagel likes this.
  12. Long Live Analog

    Long Live Analog Forum Resident

    Location:
    West Tn. Mid South
    I think you'll like the GT Delrin platter, I have the A23 Hommage mat which beats the other mats I've tried but the GT Delrin platter is the clear winner. No static or dust plus looks cool and sounds great. Comes in black or white.
     
    raferx likes this.
  13. DigMyGroove

    DigMyGroove Forum Resident

    I went from the provided felt mat which I hated for it's static, to aleather which made for much better sound and little to no static, to a Herbie's Way Excellent sorthobane mat. The Herbie's mat made for much improved sonics and no static issues.
     
  14. Prof Yuri

    Prof Yuri Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    England
    Gosh what a lot of different opinions and uses. I think I'm even more confused now.
    The suede mat does not seem to make sense to me, taking the price of my turntable into account.
    I am currently using the rega wool mat in red.
    Maybe I should upgrade to the RP6 before worrying about the mat?
     
  15. alfajim

    alfajim Forum Resident

    Location:
    san rafael ca
    Originally used the rubber mat that came with my JVC TT picked up a JVC DD table that came with a felt mat with a carbon coating sound got more open and virtually removed all static depends on the record now if static or not.

    Jim
     
  16. Shiver

    Shiver Forum Resident

    Location:
    UK
    Couldn't dump the static-generating Rega felt mat on my RP3 quick enough, and now have a suede one. Slightly fuller sound, and no dust-attraction. Another thing to consider is mat thicknesses affecting VTA: in this case the suede one is a couple of mm thinnner and it meant I could also get rid of the spacer.
     
  17. Ortofun

    Ortofun Well-Known Member

    Location:
    nowhere
    Have tried various DIY mats, and have a nice suede mat too, but I always went back to the original Sansui rubber one.
     
  18. Wally Swift

    Wally Swift Yo-Yoing where I will...

    Location:
    Brooklyn New York
    I use the stock rubber mats with my SL-1200MKIIs. Lightly wiping them with a Swiffer cloth before spinning completely eliminates static.
     
  19. Brother_Rael

    Brother_Rael Senior Member

    Felt with my Rega but also a cork Ringmat.
     
  20. Raider4life

    Raider4life Forum Resident

    Location:
    Wenatchee, WA
    Herbie's for me...great product and wouldn't consider anything else.
     
  21. action pact

    action pact Music Omnivore

    Thorens TD-124: stock rubber mat
    Rek-O-Kut L-34, Dual 1219: stock plastic(?) mat
    Acoustic Research AR-TX: started with cork but switched to black felt, just because it looks better
     
  22. dianos

    dianos Forum Resident

    Location:
    The North
    My wife claims rubber is to prefer.
     
    russk likes this.
  23. Mainline461

    Mainline461 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Tamiami Trail
    I went from the stock felt mat on my Project to the Acryl-It platter. I couldn't believe it but it made a night and day difference in the sound. It went from muddy to clear just like that. Tightened the bass up like you wouldn't believe. The place where I bought mine stays out of stock so I must not be the only one noticing a difference. Bonus: no more mat and no more static.....record sits directly on the acrylic.
     
    Vernoona and Dennis0675 like this.
  24. Analogman

    Analogman Well-Known Member

    Must have tool for Lp users

    (never understood all the "dust and dirt magnet" complaints regarding felt mats; they've been in almost constant use since the Edison Diamond Disc machine era)

    DO NOT SPRAY directly on contact surfaces (you don't have to anyway)

    Then you can use whatever mat you like

    [​IMG]
     
  25. AxiomAcoustics

    AxiomAcoustics "The enemy is listening"

    While I run "naked" on my C3 at HW's recommendation most of the time, I do have a Boston Audio Mat carbon that is very revealing, similar sounding to the bare platter (detailed, articulate) and it helps with static and general surface noise.

    Of course, much of this is TT/Cart dependent as well.

    Here's a "White Paper" that explains the concepts behind this mat :
    http://www.boston-audio.com/products3.html
     
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