Is it okay to stack a 2mm rubber mat on top of the stock LP120 felt mat?

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by John Fontane, Dec 10, 2018.

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  1. John Fontane

    John Fontane Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Chicago
    Mat is the Fluance rubber mat. Website says it's actually 2.5 mm. I stacked it on top of the felt mat. Will doing this cause any damage to records or the turntable? I stacked the mats in order to level the VTA and get rid of sibilance. Tracking force is 2.0 when I weighed it. The music sounds better but not sure if I'm doing damage.
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2018
  2. Chris Schoen

    Chris Schoen Rock 'n Roll !!!

    Location:
    Maryland, U.S.A.
    Unless you are trying to achieve a higher surface on your platter (adding layers of mats,) I would just use the rubber mat. Rubber over felt doesn't get you anything (imo) sound-wise.
    The felt mat is not heavy, so there will be no damage to your turntable.
     
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  3. John Fontane

    John Fontane Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Chicago
    I'm definitely trying to get a higher surface so that the tonearm is more level
     
  4. Chris Schoen

    Chris Schoen Rock 'n Roll !!!

    Location:
    Maryland, U.S.A.
    Yes, that is fine to do that.
     
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  5. vinylontubes

    vinylontubes Forum Resident

    Location:
    Katy, TX
    Fill out your profile so we can better understand what gear you are using.
     
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  6. qwerty

    qwerty A resident of the SH_Forums.

    Providing the height is appropriate for your vta, you may get better sound by using two rubber mats compared to a felt+rubber mat combo.
     
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  7. John Fontane

    John Fontane Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Chicago
    i actually don't like how the rubber mat sounds (music sounds less detailed to me when using it), except for super-bright records like Metallica's Hardwired. But anyway, the reason I didn't get two rubber mats is because I was told there'd be slippage because the rubber mat i bought isn't completely flat like my stock felt mat (it has indentations). Anyway, I can't spot any audible difference between the rubber mat by itself and the rubber mat on top of the felt mat.
     
  8. Mike from NYC

    Mike from NYC Senior Member

    Location:
    Surprise, AZ
    I've done the same in the past when my arm didn't have any provisions to adjust VTA.
     
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