Platter Mat Shootout!!!!!!!!!!!!

by **PD-Wythe** » 31 Jul 2011 19:47

Sorry, but I will never believe non-subjective tests unless they have been done as double-blind tests. It is far too easy for the mind to play tricks on us. Some of the worlds smartest scientists have fallen into this trap, eg, Cold Fusion.
Also. as far as mats go, if you live in cold, dry climate like I do, the worst mat is the one that collects static charge. It actually blasts holes into your records causing the dreaded 'pops'. Cork is the only way to go.

by **Wire Nut** » 31 Jul 2011 23:59

Wythe I am sure you double or triple blind tested your cork mat before you purchased. No???
Please join this century and get a Zero Stat gun or your records are sure to be shot- it has done an excellent job of eliminating static for over 30 years.

by **readwell** » 05 Aug 2011 20:37

Hello all,
I thought it was about time I changed the felt mat on my "The Turntable". I was fed up with it sticking to my records on lift off.

I bought a PLATTAMAT rubber bonded cork, only to find I can not use it "HEAVY". The Platter knocks like crazy and the arm will not track with it on.

So "NEW SPRINGS" Any Suggestions :?:

John

by **Wire Nut** » 05 Aug 2011 20:49

I used the ones from Vinyl Nirvana from Dave & they work great... I know some guys use Lynn but I think those must be spendy.

by **snfrosten** » 05 Aug 2011 22:41

readwell wrote:Hello all,
I thought it was about time I changed the felt mat on my "The Turntable". I was fed up with it sticking to my records on lift off.

I bought a PLATTAMAT rubber bonded cork, only to find I can not use it "HEAVY". The Platter knocks like crazy and the arm will not track with it on.

So "NEW SPRINGS" Any Suggestions
John

The underside of the platter is most likely hitting the pulley, that's where
the knocking is coming from. Just need to raise the suspension.
New springs may be necessary if the original springs are shot.

by **readwell** » 06 Aug 2011 12:38

Hello.
Many thanks.
Will the LINN suspension springs work :?:

I just found them on the Bay £15-00 for the complete spring kit.
Regards
John

by **Wire Nut** » 06 Aug 2011 13:41

Kenwood used them on his most excellent upgrade:
http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewt ... c&start=60

by **readwell** » 06 Aug 2011 15:58

Thanks for the link Wire Nut.
I will order the Linn springs.
The springs on my T/T must be shot I have never changed them from new.

Sorry one and all did not intend to hijack this thread :oops:

Many Thanks
John

by **Wire Nut** » 07 Aug 2011 01:53

No prob- we are a full service post.

by **readwell** » 16 Aug 2011 23:32

Hello Wire Nut and Snfrosten,
Many thanks for your help.
I only had to change the spring under the Tonearm, it was corroded.
A new Drive Belt, Oil Change and my Turntable SINGS with the new Platter Mat. $\:D/$ $\:D/$
Best wishes
John

by **Wire Nut** » 17 Aug 2011 01:56

Readwell,
Glad to help, the new springs helped me, after the leather experement I went back to the lead mat and it would not work whithout them.
Check out my new project:
http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=39598

by **kbekke** » 23 Aug 2011 20:33

Just got a Plattamat from Analogue Innovation for my old Planar 3 and to my ear it is certainly an improvement compared to the stock felt mat. Everything seems a bit tighter, more detail and precision. Not a huge change - it just appears as if more information is dug out from the grooves. On top of that it stays in place when I am changing my 180g's on the fly.

:oops:

You can probably make something similar yourself a lot cheaper. But to me it's worth very penny. Only thing is that all of a sudden I notice just how warped some of my records are. Not that it is audible to me. It just looks funny.

:shock:

by **embee** » 26 Aug 2011 19:25

Interesting stuff isn't it?

I've played with different (DIY) mat materials over the years on my "The Turntable"/Linn Basik LVX/Denon 103 with mixed results, none of my efforts seemed to hit the nail on the head though.

However, the best sounding thing I've found to date is........no mat at all. It's probably not nice to put vinyl directly onto the alloy platter, though that's been the nicest sounding, so I use a sheet of plain paper. Vocals in particular seem to be tidier and without colouration, giving the impression that they sound like they were supposed to (if you know what I mean).

I'm sure every set up will give different results with different ears, but maybe try it with no mat, it doesn't cost very much!

by **readwell** » 19 Sep 2011 20:19

[quote="kbekke"]Just got a Plattamat from Analogue Innovation for my old Planar 3 and to my ear it is certainly an improvement compared to the stock felt mat. Everything seems a bit tighter, more detail and precision. Not a huge change - it just appears as if more information is dug out from the grooves. On top of that it stays in place when I am changing my 180g's on the fly.

:oops:

You can probably make something similar yourself a lot cheaper. But to me it's worth very penny. Only thing is that all of a sudden I notice just how warped some of my records are. Not that it is audible to me. It just looks funny.

SNAP I have the same one.
I agree with everything you say. Especially the warped records.
The slight warps were never noticeable on the felt mat.
They now STAND OUT. Yep it looks funny.