SDS Isoplatmat vs. Others - Opinions Please

[Meloski]

I am considering the purchase of a Isoplatmat. As I value the opinions of our membership, I would like to know if you have experience with this product and how you think it compared to other turntable mats?

[MikeMusic]

A mat to sit on the Technics ? Could be ok.
My best result was a Mike New platter with no mat

or to sit the kit on ?
I like RDC cones with a S1NX platform.
Trying out some Black Ravioli too

[Gazjam]

My decks sprung so the SDS wouldn't work as a mat, but have the SDS Isofeet (same material) under the feet and motor unit.
Obvious improvement over other things Ive tried, including the RCD cones, Sorbothane, BASE isolation and quite a few others.

Got a second set to try with other kit figuring I could sell them on if they didn't work.
Similar improvement under amps and surprisingly even digital transports.

I'm getting a set for all my kit, they are that good. Seriously.
Best way to use them Imo is to take equipment feet off alltogether and sit the equipment case directly on top of them.
Noticeably more improvement this way, though still a good boost directly under equipment feet.

[Lynster]

I have one on my 1210 in combination with a Herbies and i'm actually extremely well pleased with the combination. However, I did reach this combination by a rather roundabout route. I happened to have the Herbies already on a previous TT so simply swapped it for the thick rubber mat the 2110 came with plus I also utilised a 2mm butyl rubber mat underneath to achieve about the same total thickness as the original. For quite a while, I was perfectly happy with the Herbies though if I hadn't already owned it, I could well have gone with either a Resomat or Achromat as a stand alone mat based on recommendations on this forum.

Then when I was about to seriously consider a Mike New platter upgrade, my budget temporarily evaporated (which it often seems to do:doh:), so I decided on getting an SDS isoplatmat (not cheap but well short of the platter cost) to reduce the stock platter ringing as an interim and which I could on-sell when I bought the platter. Well quite frankly, the combo I use now with the Herbies on top of the Isoplatmat is far better than either the stock and Herbies mats alone. A very clean and tight presentation with no downside IMO. Ringing is something from the past and there is currently no rush for a platter upgrade though I'm sure it will come.:)

[Desmo]

I have a sprung chassis turntable too and I use the Achromat from Funk Firm. It is sitting on an acrylic platter if that helps. Works very well, though does raise the playing surface by 5mm so you need to have an arm with enough VTA adjustment to suit.

[Marco]

This:


Well quite frankly, the combo I use now with the Herbies on top of the Isoplatmat is far better than either the stock and Herbies mats alone. A very clean and tight presentation with no downside IMO. Ringing is something from the past and there is currently no rush for a platter upgrade though I'm sure it will come.

The Isoplatmat should be considered as ubiquitous with any SL-1200/1210, still fitted with a stock platter (in order to completely eradicate the latter's highly resonant nature). In my experience, nothing does that particular job better.

However, it should be used, not alone, but in conjunction with a more effective mat to support the record, in terms of a vinyl impedance match, and that's where the likes of an Achromat comes in. Therefore, Isoplatmat + Achromat (the former to dampen ringing, and the latter to form an ideal interface for the record) is the way to go for ultimate sonic results with a stock Technics platter.

The Herbies mat is good (as a record termination mat), but I consider an Achromat (or a Resomat) in that role to be better still.

Marco.

[kcc123]

I have both the Isoplatmat and Achromat but I have never used them in combination, one on the of the other. Very good suggestion and I'll try that out.

[Marco]

The combination does work very well, King. I think you'll like it. Just make sure that you get VTA spot on again afterwards :)

Marco.

[kcc123]

Thanks, Marco!

[Ants]

King, how was the combo of the SDS isoplatmat plus the achromat sounding compared to what you've had before?

[oldius]

I have two isoplatmats and they are the best mats I've not heard.

[Gazjam]

So try 'em!

[kcc123]

King, how was the combo of the SDS isoplatmat plus the achromat sounding compared to what you've had before?
Hi Anthony,
I have been busy painting my garden fences and other things hence no time to try out the combo yet.

[Meloski]

King, still want your thoughts on the combo.

[Marco]

Hi Anthony,
I have been busy painting my garden fences and other things hence no time to try out the combo yet.

:popcorn: :popcorn:

Drop that paintbrush and spill the beans, dude! ;)

Marco.