Its a Sandwich but not as we know it!

[MCRU]

Whilst awaiting the imminent arrival of my Graham Slee phono stage (can't wait) and seeing as another Oyaide mat arrived to replace the last one I sold to my dear friend Tony who gave me the Techie in the first place I had an idea.

The Blue Horizon mat has 2 halves which means infinite tweakability if you take the Oyaide mat into the equation as there is effectively a sandwich to be made....:eyebrows:

First off 1 blue horizon mat on top of oyaide, very good, then blue horizon mat underneath the oyaide, also sounds good if not slightly better, then, 1 BH mat underneath the oyaide and the other half on top, VTA adjusted slightly, EVEN BLOODY BETTER.

So a turntable mat scooby snack! Off back to listen to some more vinyl now see if it does the biz on other tracks besides sister sledge but interesting so far.

[Marco]

Lol... Nice one, David. Using the Blue Horizon mat myself, I can understand why that would work.

If I have any reservations about the Oyaide (or even the MN platter) it's that putting records directly onto a metal surface isn't ideal, sonically, as it introduces 'chatter', and you can clearly hear the effect. Using a 'top mat' of some description solves this, while still getting the benefits of the Oyaide mat or MN platter.

Also, having used the BH now for some time, I can say quite categorically that it's one of the most sonically effective interfaces available on the market between record and T/T platter. It probably just edges the Achromat, in that respect.

Having also used the contact cleaner recently, with great results, the Blue Horizon products clearly do what they say on the tin! :)

Marco.

[WOStantonCS100]

If I have any reservations about the Oyaide (or even the MN platter) it's that putting records directly onto a metal surface isn't ideal, sonically, as it introduces 'chatter', and you can clearly hear the effect. Using a 'top mat' of some description solves this, while still getting the benefits of the Oyaide mat or MN platter..

That very thought has been persistently on my mind. The Oyaide mat is just down right sexy; but, my concern was how well it "bonds" to the platter as well as the aforementioned issue. I'd still like to get one. The question is, "What to use between the Oyaide and the record?" I would think a thick mat would not be necessary. It would also have to work well with the geometry of the Oyaide, would it not?

[MCRU]

If you put the oyaide straight onto the techie platter it does not move at all, it somehow sticks to the surface of the platter, the main selling point is the 1 degree angle of the mat which providing you use a weight of about 300-400 grammes makes your vinyl almost perfectly flat, sorted.

On a side note, I have made some aluminium weights to give away FREE with every Oyaide mat purchased at full price while stocks last. Here it is:-

http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt309/themainsman/BONI/IMG_2835.jpg

[WOStantonCS100]

If you put the oyaide straight onto the techie platter it does not move at all, it somehow sticks to the surface of the platter, the main selling point is the 1 degree angle of the mat which providing you use a weight of about 300-400 grammes makes your vinyl almost perfectly flat, sorted.

Does the Oyaide mat have a raised area to compensate for the Techie's "lip"? Or, does it fit inside of the "lip"? I have no experience with these mats; just asking as a potential purchaser. It's the "almost perfectly flat" that has me a bit concerned about not using a traditional mat, if a thin one, on top. Vinyl, even 200g vinyl, has eccentricities that would prevent all areas from contacting the platter evenly despite the geometry of the mat and a suitable weight. I don't think that's a bad thing. It's just the nature of the beast. Couple that with the fact that the lion's share of my vinyl is not 200g, still leads me to believe a thin mat in between may be more desireable "to me" to elimate the possibility of chatter between vinyl and alloy platter. In that regard, I was interested if there were/are any recommendations; Blue Horizon, obviously, being one of them??

Awaiting further education...

[MCRU]

The top face of the technics platter is flat, the oyaide sits straight on top of it, the face of the oyaide mat where the record sits is tapered by 1 degree and that is it, feedback I am getting from people who have bought one (and let's not bullshit anyone I don't sell 100's) is it's the best turntable mat they have ever used, it works on my technics with the stock platter extremely well and as always with anything purchased from a website (like mine) you can send it back if not delighted, its post free going, so it would cost you say a fiver to send it back, it is worth a fiver just to hear it!

[WOStantonCS100]

...it is worth a fiver just to hear it!

I think you're probably right, there.

I looked back through the threads and it seems a few folks like the Blue Horizon with the Oyaide (or a copper mat); so, that may be the plan.

[MCRU]

BTW its post free within the UK only!

I sent one to the US in December, £35 by UPS which I thought was quite reasonable.