Look for a mat which does match the vinyl record's material as close as possible. Make sure to get an extremely thin adhesive tape both sides and stick the mat firmly onto the surface of the platter. Just placing a mat on any turntable platter without firmly attaching it to the platter is not 20% of its performance. Make sure the mat as a "gap" for the label part of the record. Do use a good clamp to firmly press down the LP as much as possible. Any mat can only offer its full potential if firmly attached to the platter and if the record itself has as much contact with the mat as possible.
Best mat choices for high mass metal turntables?
I've recently changed analog sources from a VPI Scout to an Acoustic Signature Final Tool. I'm curious if other owners of similar high mass, metal turntables have preferred their tables with mats or with bare platters? I've researched this forum and the Vinyl Asylum, but most responses to mat questions have centered around acrylic platters and tables of lesser mass. I notice that another similar design turntable, Acoustic Signature, supplies a laminate mat of suede/acrylic. Any owners of those tables care to comment? The mat supplied with my table was the ubiquitous thin felt variety which sounds horrible to my ears. Sucks the life out of the highs and muffles the bass. I'm running the Final Tool with a Garrott Optim FGS moving magnet cartridge. I find the sound I'm getting now to be a serious upgrade from the VPI Scout. However, the Scout does have a slightly more fulsome and fleshed out lower frequency range which I quite like. I'd like a mat that at least preserves the current tonal balance, if not lending a smidgen more emphasis on the bass. This preference makes me question the suitability of the Boston Audio mat considering other reports. At this point, Herbies Way Excellent mat or maybe a leather laminate mat seem to be the most likely candidates from what I've read. Ideas?