Thoughts please

[ledzep]

Ok iv'e been offered some platter mats a Herbie's Lab 'Way Excellent',Blue Horizon 2 part cork/composite and a Rubato Copper mat for my techy 1210 which would be best? I havent got a clue or even could this be a 'Poll'?

[PaulStewart]

The two part Blue Horizon is the Garrard mat we developed while I was witj Loricraft Audio. It's part of the energy control strategy I worked on for Garrard and other kit. It's made of a compound originally developed for the CEGB to make mountings for the turbines in nuclear power stations where it's kind of vital to lose vibrational energy beforeit gets back to the reactor. As the turbines got older and more worn this became a problem and they looked for a material that would absorb and damp all frequencies evenly, this stuff was the result.

I think it's a great product and I no longer have any financial axe to grind with it, but would still recommend it whole heartedly. We have them on both techies and Have just got on for the GL78.

Good luck :)

[walpurgis]

Once you get into mat swapping you'll never be quite content. They all have subtly different effects on the sound and that varies according to what arm and cartridge you are using at the time. You'll end up chopping and changing forever.

[ledzep]

Once you get into mat swapping you'll never be quite content. They all have subtly different effects on the sound and that varies according to what arm and cartridge you are using at the time. You'll end up chopping and changing forever.

Just looking for an upgrade over the standard only want to change it once but has to be good and fairly cheap.Using standard arm and SAE 1000 Lt cartridge.

[Oldpinkman]

There certainly isn't going to be a definitive answer that someone can give you by adjusting a slide rule or checking the alignment of the stars. The only way you'll know for sure is by trying them and listening. A bit it depends on the balance of everything else and what you like. The Achromat, probably the new Marco Delrin wonder mat, and the Blue Horizon from Pauls description of it, are all likely to be attempts at "neutral" - letting you get accurate and revealing if the rest of the kit balances. Others like cork or felt might give you a "flavour" you like, if you are using a system whose limitations mean that the subtleties of the "neutral" mats might just sound dull.

Of course - without a shop that stocks them all, its kinda hard to try them out. There are a few shops you could try. I was really impressed by the Maidstone independant. I would avoid Soundcraft in Ashford. Of course - they won't have a Techie for you to try them on.

If you could describe it - what do you want a mat to do to your sound?

[ledzep]

Just want a mat thats not going to add anything or take anything away.

[MCRU]

Ok iv'e been offered some platter mats a Herbie's Lab 'Way Excellent',Blue Horizon 2 part cork/composite and a Rubato Copper mat for my techy 1210 which would be best? I havent got a clue or even could this be a 'Poll'?

you could put the money towards an ETP platter then no mat is required, or I can send you a 2 part cork/rubber mat f.o.c to be going on with (i ordered 50 x 2 part mats and the supplier sent me 500 by mistake!!!!)? :)

[The Grand Wazoo]

you could put the money towards an ETP platter

Why can't you see that there's no sale for you here David?
Read the thread - Dan has been offered some mats and wants to know which might be the best

[MCRU]

Why can't you see that there's no sale for you here David?
Read the thread - Dan has been offered some mats and wants to know which might be the best

Quite correct but you failed to mention the part where I offered Dan a mat for FREE :ner:

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Dan

The Oyaide mat + an Oyaide BRone rubber under mat would be worth trying, though the matching record weight is a synergistic match to the mat so ultimately would be required to get the full performance as the designers intended.


Regards Neil

[RobbieGong]

Once you get into mat swapping you'll never be quite content. They all have subtly different effects on the sound and that varies according to what arm and cartridge you are using at the time. You'll end up chopping and changing forever.

+1 Spot on Geoff. I've tried loads of the things from cheap to very exotic like the Oyaide and never liked any of them over the stock techie 3mm soft mat. Each time I've put it back in place and breathed a sigh of relief for normailty resumed - seriously. I'm not daft (no comment ! :lol:) and have always thought ' thats not better than what I've got at all and it's not as if I dont like how my system sounds, this thing just sounds 'different' but most certainly not for the better to my trusty lugs !! As a result I've made enough losses selling them on via da 'bay. As I say the changes can be anything from subtle and have included surpressing of the all important mids, killing of top end sparkle, disorder and zingy presentation etc. I found the Herbies / Sound hifi sticky foamy mat was all the rage with its 'inside the stock techie platter lip' selling point. Couldnt wait to have one - It absolutely killed the sonics for me, as if someone had put a duvet over my speakers. Needless to say it was sold on faster than Mr bolt down the track believe you me :eek:
Without a doubt it's a case of suck it and see to be honest, it's the only way i'm afraid as you have to scratch the itch which might cost but at least you will have your own experience and you can always sell on if not happy.
I'm actually not surprised though that in my own experience the simple and standard issue rubber mat is best for me as a simple platform / coupler between record and platter. Most normal rubber mats do not add too much of an obvious signature IME allowing the presentation of the music to be generally pretty natural. I've found this even more the case with a very good non resonant platter on board and decent arm. Nothings muddled, held back or over emphasised. Seperation of parts is great due to my cart but the stock mat does not stop it doing that and all the good things it is renowned for the way other mats have or can. Think about it, How many decks (millions / billions ?) at every price point, have been produced with a very basic rubber mat and sounded stunning. BTW, there are rubber mats that are not great simply because they were made to dampen and tackle the resonance from very resonant cheaper platters. The 5mm rock hard techie mat is case in point, afterall it was made to do a job. Have fun ! ;)

[The Grand Wazoo]

Quite correct but you failed to mention the part where I offered Dan a mat for FREE :ner:

It's always perfectly clear what your motives are David - I think everyone knows about free lunches.

[walpurgis]

Actually, I've got a handful of 'fancy' platter mats knocking about, including an original PlatterMatter Mat and one of the rather nice Osawa examples (both in original packing). I may dig them all out and have a play.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Poll added.

[Macca]

How can you vote unless you have tried all three of them?

I suppose some people might have done, but it is unlikely.

[ledzep]

How can you vote unless you have tried all three of them?

I suppose some people might have done, but it is unlikely.

I have'nt tried any thats why it's now a poll lots have tried all 3 and more.

[The Grand Wazoo]

That's why the question is 'what would be your choice' rather than 'which did you prefer when you tried them'!

[Macca]

Okay I'll get my coat then ;)

[The Grand Wazoo]

He-heh, no just vote. There's no right answer!

[Macca]

Okay voted cork-composite since that's what I use and it is better than the stock rubber mat - and I mean better and not just different. Not got a Scooby about the other two.

[twotone]

I use the Funk Technics Achromat with the SAE 1000LT, a big improvement IMO on both the Technics 5mm rubber mat and Technics felt slip mat or both together.

The cart is amazing BTW, have you tried it yet?

[ledzep]

I use the Funk Technics Achromat with the SAE 1000LT, a big improvement IMO on both the Technics 5mm rubber mat and Technics felt slip mat or both together.

The cart is amazing BTW, have you tried it yet?

Yes the cart really is quite special ruddy amazing :D

[Oldpinkman]

I am down to funk on friday and could pick you up a loan achromat if you pass maidstone in your travels. Borrow the other ones you mentioned and take david up on his offer and do your very own aos review. If you promise to look after it I could lend you a 1042 for a week or so too.