...a second listen

FWIW: Here is an excerpt from my Classic 3 manual, "We recommend bare platter listening but it is an owner's choice to decide".

While I enjoy no mat, I've wondered about trying some.

atmasphere: Thanks for listing two you enjoy. I've often wondered about the Funk Firm 1mm mat. Ever tried that one?

atmasphere:,

How do your findings relate to a tt with a vacuum sealing function?

If this sort of tt has a metal platter w/ the vacuum sealing function, does the metal platter make any noticeable difference?

If one has a metal platter with an outer ring and a weight...??

Upon thinking about this again, I remembered I have some (unfinished/raw) 1/16" quasitropic carbon fiber sheets. This is one of the projects I had planned to do when I get the time.

At one time, I had a Living Voice Mystic Mat on another/lesser table.

Thanks for your post.

I do believe that posting one's experiences does help others as they go forward.

Happy Listening!

I want to thank stringreen for bringing this subject up and atmasphere's thoughts as well. I got off my duff and finally tried a material I've had around. It is a vinyl material, around 1/16" thick with a smooth side and an irregular other side. I cut it at 11& 3/4" diameter w/ a 1&1/2" center hole. (I left in place, my 1&1/4" vinyl based center donut). I'm using the smooth side down. With this arrangement, the center is slightly higher, so to allow some smoothing out of the lp when clamped.

It didn't take long to hear the positive effects after getting the VTA dialed in. I have the opposite experience of stringreen. No loss of air, detail. The bass is more fleshed out and powerful and much more musical. Music has more soul and is more enjoyable to listen to. A big upgrade!

It does kind of adhere to the lp when lifting one off. I don't notice any leeching, but I suspect if left for a long period, it could be an issue.

Next, I will try the carbon fiber alone and the CF adhered to a piece of this vinyl. For now, I'm just going to enjoy!

In thinking about this whole subject, it is important to note a few things:

(1) The very center portion of a lot of lps are "raised". This will affect any sort of method one chooses to use. This is very evident in using the VPI center weight which is flat on it's bottom surface. (This is never addressed, anywhere)!
(2) Using a flat lp.
(3) Any platter mat that doesn't allow for the label thickness and/or a center/spindle support/donut, may be defeating the very purpose it is intended to address?
(4) A weight vs. clamp still can make a difference.

sarcher30,

I think we would appreciate you filling us in on which mats you are using and in what circumstances?

What I've been hearing so far was with my two piece BDR clamp, things sounded quite good. Sadly... I have to report, there is a difference with various clamps/weights, even when using my mat. I was really hoping this would be easy! ...laughing.

Though, it really does still depend on the recording.