TransFi TURNTABLE PLATTER MAT...... THE 'RESO-MAT'

[John]

Opps

[worrasf]

My Resomat arrived very quickly - excellent customer service and communications from Vic.

First impressions are most favourable. I am using it directly on top of the Vantage Audio platter. So, in comparison to the Achromat bass is firmer and extends lower, more texture to kick drum and cello/double bass. Presentation is slightly forward with a sense of more space around instruments - perhaps a little more "zing" to cymbals/tambourine etc. I also think data retrieval is enhanced. On side 1 Floyd's DSOTM in the airport I'm pretty sure the announcement in the back ground says "follow the green line to customs and immigration" - I've never before been able to "decipher" the follow the green line bit. Of course I could be totally wrong and she is saying something totally different - I'm sure someone will comment
Overall, I find the presenattion more pleasing with the Resomat than the Achromat (not necessarily better - but different). Before anyone asks/suggests I'm not going down the road of using both at the same time

The only downside I've noticed is that surface noise is more prominent with the Resomat.

For the next few weeks I'll leave the Resomat in situ then switch back to the Achromat to see if these initial impressions remain.

Update - just tried the Resomat on the TD150 which currently has a cork/rubber composite mat - again huge improvement in all areas. However, the aesthetics of the Resomat on the "vintage" TD 150 just don't cut it so I tried the Achromat and this also sounded much better than the cork mat - the difference between the Resomat and Achromat on the TD 150 were (to my ears) much smaller than on the Technics so i can live with the "compromise" of having the Achromat on the Thorens.

Steve

Steve

[Marco]

Hi Steve,

Interesting observations....

For the next few weeks I'll leave the Resomat in situ then switch back to the Achromat to see if these initial impressions remain.

That's *always* the best way to genuinely assess whether any improvements are genuine, imagined or otherwise, with any new 'tweak' carried out - and much more meaningful to an audio and music enthusiast than any amount of pointless (and fatally flawed) double-blind testing!

Marco.

[Nigel]

Does the Resomat sound similar to the Ringmat?

[John]

nope a lot more open imho

[worrasf]

In a strange way I really didn't want to like the Resomat - it just seemed too flimsy - almost a joke in design philosophy and construction. Counter to all the other mats I've tried (Herbies, Achomat, cork composite, origin live, technics) with or without clamping - it's also IMHO aesthetically challenged. However, after a week or so in use my initial thoughts have been confirmed. It does sound better than the others I've tried on the Technics. It sounds so much more open and "airy" - the Achromatic in comparison sounds "boxed in and choked" -
Bass control and extension is better and there's more life and zing to percussion - its just so much more atmospheric - particularly evident on the LZ BBC sessions. What's "odd" is that I have not heard the same improvement on the Thorens where I've actually gone back to the cork composite mat which seems to give the best results so clearly there are compatibility differences depending on suspension/drive/platter types and what suits my Technics with the VA platter may not be others experience with different setups but I'm really pleased with the improvement and for now at least the Achomat is back in its sleeve.

I've asked Vic at Inspire if he can supply me a set of the acrylic cones as I'm minded to try them "bonded" (a dab of silicone should suffice and would beveasily removed) direct onto the VA copper platter. Theoretically should soundvthevsame as the Resomat but will allow the beautiful copper platter to be seen.
Steve

[Spectral Morn]

In a strange way I really didn't want to like the Resomat - it just seemed too flimsy - almost a joke in design philosophy and construction. Counter to all the other mats I've tried (Herbies, Achomat, cork composite, origin live, technics) with or without clamping - it's also IMHO aesthetically challenged. However, after a week or so in use my initial thoughts have been confirmed. It does sound better than the others I've tried on the Technics. It sounds so much more open and "airy" - the Achromatic in comparison sounds "boxed in and choked" -
Bass control and extension is better and there's more life and zing to percussion - its just so much more atmospheric - particularly evident on the LZ BBC sessions. What's "odd" is that I have not heard the same improvement on the Thorens where I've actually gone back to the cork composite mat which seems to give the best results so clearly there are compatibility differences depending on suspension/drive/platter types and what suits my Technics with the VA platter may not be others experience with different setups but I'm really pleased with the improvement and for now at least the Achomat is back in its sleeve.

I've asked Vic at Inspire if he can supply me a set of the acrylic cones as I'm minded to try them "bonded" (a dab of silicone should suffice and would beveasily removed) direct onto the VA copper platter. Theoretically should soundvthevsame as the Resomat but will allow the beautiful copper platter to be seen.
Steve

Interested to read how that works, interesting.


Regards D S D L

[Clive]

In a strange way I really didn't want to like the Resomat - it just seemed too flimsy - almost a joke in design philosophy and construction. Counter to all the other mats I've tried (Herbies, Achomat, cork composite, origin live, technics) with or without clamping - it's also IMHO aesthetically challenged. However, after a week or so in use my initial thoughts have been confirmed. It does sound better than the others I've tried on the Technics. It sounds so much more open and "airy" - the Achromatic in comparison sounds "boxed in and choked" -
Bass control and extension is better and there's more life and zing to percussion - its just so much more atmospheric - particularly evident on the LZ BBC sessions. What's "odd" is that I have not heard the same improvement on the Thorens where I've actually gone back to the cork composite mat which seems to give the best results so clearly there are compatibility differences depending on suspension/drive/platter types and what suits my Technics with the VA platter may not be others experience with different setups but I'm really pleased with the improvement and for now at least the Achomat is back in its sleeve.

I've asked Vic at Inspire if he can supply me a set of the acrylic cones as I'm minded to try them "bonded" (a dab of silicone should suffice and would beveasily removed) direct onto the VA copper platter. Theoretically should soundvthevsame as the Resomat but will allow the beautiful copper platter to be seen.
Steve

Experimentation is always worthy. It'll be interesting to know ow this works out. My expectation is that bonding the cones to a mat will couple them tightly and they will inherit most of the characteristics of the mat. The "flimsy" mat is intended to be loosely coupled. Maybe Vic can source a transparent sheet for the mat allowing you to see you copper mat?

[jandl100]

.... It does sound better than the others I've tried on the Technics. It sounds so much more open and "airy" - the Achromatic in comparison sounds "boxed in and choked"

Yup, that's what I find on my Pioneer PL-71

In fact I do wonder if Richard (Gromit) would have been quite so sure he wanted rid of the PL-71 if he'd heard it with a Resomat!

.... I've asked Vic at Inspire if he can supply me a set of the acrylic cones as I'm minded to try them "bonded" (a dab of silicone should suffice and would beveasily removed) direct onto the VA copper platter. Theoretically should soundvthevsame as the Resomat but will allow the beautiful copper platter to be seen.
Steve

Amazingly good idea.

I await with baited breath!
I must admit I am regretting a little going for the white mat. It seemed a neat idea at the time, but I'd go for the black mat if I did it again.
Actually, there's a slight Techie-style lip at the rim of the PL-71 platter and a Techie-sized Resomat might well sit a little better ... I understand these should be available shortly ... if so, I will defo invest in an all-black one.

[worrasf]

Yup, that's what I find on my Pioneer PL-71

In fact I do wonder if Richard (Gromit) would have been quite so sure he wanted rid of the PL-71 if he'd heard it with a Resomat!




Amazingly good idea.

I await with baited breath!
I must admit I am regretting a little going for the white mat. It seemed a neat idea at the time, but I'd go for the black mat if I did it again.
Actually, there's a slight Techie-style lip at the rim of the PL-71 platter and a Techie-sized Resomat might well sit a little better ... I understand these should be available shortly ... if so, I will defo invest in an all-black one.

Vic says yes and thinks should work the same - cones are on their way to me as I write - think ill use some double sided sticky tape to start with. Will report findings in due course.
Steve