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Platter mat insanity

I was doing an idler upgrade to my 401 (more anon) and when finished used the Keystrobe disk to ensure speed. I use a 10" EP as a platter mat. I played a bunch of albums and it sounded fantastic. On the 6th side, I noticed I'd forgot to remove the 4" strobe disc. Duh. I took it off and figured VTA was responsible. So I lowered the arm to see if that made it sound so good. Nope. Put back on the 4" strobe disk and raised arm. The awesome sound returned. So air under the record removed haze, smearing, flattened soundstage and muddled bass; and made it so more musical. Comments... 
128x128noromance
sleepwalker65's avatar
sleepwalker65
832 posts
 
Box head, I know it’s a good idea because of your reaction. 😂 😆 🤣 
boxer12
8,654 posts
 
Fair enough. You probably should just keep it then sleepy. 
pesky_wabbit's avatar
pesky_wabbit
1,183 posts
 
Interesting: I have used a ringmat for years after trying just about everything available.

Nothing I have tried has been able to persuade me to make a change. This is probably one of the best
examples of the use of air suspension with minimal ccmtact area.
noromance's avatar
noromance OP
9,404 posts
 
@terry9 I tried the Boston graphite mat. Beautifully made but killed the sound - sucked the life out of it. Sent it back.
@sleepwalker65 Rubber sounds like rubber. Rubbery and like rubber sounds.
tony1954's avatar
tony1954
888 posts
 
I will preface this post with the disclaimer that I am NOT an engineer and do not have a vast knowledge of the dynamics of a stylus in a groove going around in circles. However, I can't help thinking that this is somehow analogous to salmon fishing in British Columbia. If one is motoring along on a choppy ocean (substitute the grooves in the record) and just sits on a bench, your butt is constantly losing contact with that bench due to the bounce created by the waves. However, if you stand up in the boat and use your legs as mild shock absorbers, everything calms down and you can enjoy the ride. Is it possible the lack of support under the record somehow allows the stylus to stay in contact with the groove by microscopically reducing the "bounce"?
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