turntable mats...

[Mike]

after a new set, loads and loads of advice online, however wondering, what's our members (as in the real world view) take on these 

any recommendations, any avoids, go for the high quality or low/average etc etc etc

anyone like to jump in...

 

[Timbo58]

Having had crimynal slipmats (great quality, accurate printing & fair price) in the past, the only thing I find wrong with that type of slipmat is they can be too 'smooth' and allow discs to slip if you don't use a clamp.

Also being a bit too much of a perfectionist for sound quality I did read a few articles which claimed the absolute best mats for protection against slip and sound quality/protection of the vinyl were actually the thick rubber mats that Technics come with originally.

So I now use them. 

 

[Mike]

15 hours ago, Timbo58 said:

Having had crimynal slipmats (great quality, accurate printing & fair price) in the past, the only thing I find wrong with that type of slipmat is they can be too 'smooth' and allow discs to slip if you don't use a clamp.

Also being a bit too much of a perfectionist for sound quality I did read a few articles which claimed the absolute best mats for protection against slip and sound quality/protection of the vinyl were actually the thick rubber mats that Technics come with originally.

So I now use them. 

 

thanks for that 

as with a lot of audio/sound equipment once you start digging there's a lot of options (and cost!)

going by your above, am looking towards decent thick rubber mats, maybe a step below branded option

thanks

 

 

[Pigeon Thing]

technics rubber matts are best for technics decks if you are just playing / listening, and want the best quality...if your djing and you need to cue up records they wont work, unless you turn the deck off... if that makes sense...

Edited September 26 by Pigeon Thing
typo

[Happy Feet]

Doe's anyone know if the silicone slipmats are any good , or have used them ? 

[Timbo58]

6 hours ago, Pigeon Thing said:

technics rubber matts are best for technics decks if you are just playing / listening, and want the best quality...if your djing and you need to cue up records they wont work, unless you turn the deck off... if that makes sense...

TBF we use these for DJing regularly, but we always stop rotation to cue in of course. I can see they'd be no use for mixing/scratching as they are far too grippy.

[Tlscapital]

21 hours ago, Mike said:

thanks for that 

as with a lot of audio/sound equipment once you start digging there's a lot of options (and cost!)

going by your above, am looking towards decent thick rubber mats, maybe a step below branded option

thanks

Different mats aim for different uses and different mats aim for different driven turntables too. Those direct drive turntables beg for thick rubber slip mats to decouple the record from the platter and damp it from the motor vibrations and reduce its transmission into the cartridge. Mind you that one will need a rather good amplification chain to hear such vibrations out of the speakers. Most mortals shan't hear that on their average phono set-up.

Felt mats were introduced in the shellack (very breakable) heydays (after the velour molded ones on the platter). It found practical use for the dee-jays to ease the cueing of the records while the turntable's platter spins. Although being the worst sounding ones the felt slip mats use were found on home TT's. The dee-jay mimetic factor... Offering the least tight contact surface between the platter and the record they disadvantage playback.

Clamps or weights help to flat down records while playing but are also 'coupling' the record with the platter. To use them on a slip felt mat is nonsense. So one's use is one thing and sonic preference is another. Turntable drive is another thing like the signal chain is even another one. As for everything in any phono chain a rubber mat might be the best sounding option in one phono chain but not sounding the best in another phono chain combination.

This is not helping much I totally understand but the real factor is to test few combinations. Some pricey nice looking 'special' rubber mats are liked by some and hated by others. If they mechanically damp some idler or direct drive TT's they should prove mechanical useless on belt drive turntables which don't need motor dampening. While on some phono combination they will 'muffle' down the playback. Too much for some likes like me.

Leather is appreciated by many. It is by me. For a soft, static neutral enough and easy to dust off surface. Fair coupler too. Even though I stacked me a 'lasagna' of mats with under the leather a cork and felt split mat to make it 'springy' as my belt drive turntable spins constantly and I need to safely pick-up and drop my 45's while the platter spins. For bottom mat I use an acrylic one as static catcher from my heavy alloy platter building up statics...

Edited September 27 by Tlscapital

[Happy Feet]

Ok , been a while I know , I asked if anyone knew anything regarding silicone slip mats . It turned out they where silicone rubber , and our friend Tiscapitol gave some very good advice , which I took on board and ordered a set of decent silicone rubber mats .

They're slightly recessed and sit on top of my original reloop felt mats , the sound difference is much better and if playing a dished 45 ( as long as its dished the right way ) no need for any sleeve etc for support .

[Tlscapital]

14 hours ago, Happy Feet said:

Ok , been a while I know , I asked if anyone knew anything regarding silicone slip mats . It turned out they where silicone rubber , and our friend Tiscapitol gave some very good advice , which I took on board and ordered a set of decent silicone rubber mats .

They're slightly recessed and sit on top of my original reloop felt mats , the sound difference is much better and if playing a dished 45 ( as long as its dished the right way ) no need for any sleeve etc for support .

If stacking them mats up, check VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle) if it's still 'horizontal'.... Tonearm to record with stylus in the groove. Idealy 'neutral' or optimal VTA setting is 100% horizontal. But In practice some might find that their stylus works better with the tonearm 'tail up' some or 'tail down' even.... Some (if not all) Reloop turntables seem to have that similar VTA adjustability like the SL-1200's have to bring the tonearm base up or down a little. Enjoy tweaking !

Edited November 27 by Tlscapital