Review of MyMat
I read about the MyMat on the ‘What’s on your turntable tonight?’ thread and decided to give one a try to see if I could improve on my existing setup. This is a summary of the process I went through in evaluating the MyMat.
My setup:
Technics SL-1200GR with
- AT VM760SLC MM cartridge
- KAB Poly-Glass mat
- Standard Technics Turntable Mat (RGS0008)
Parasound JC3 Jr Phono Preamp
Benchmark DAC3 HGC (using as a preamp as well)
First Watt J2 Amp
Spatial Audio M3 Triode Master speakers
I corresponded with Steve (slaw) and we agreed on a MyMat with a 4 inch cut-out to accommodate the record label.
I removed the Technics Mat and placed the MyMat directly on top of the KAB Poly-Glass mat and adjusted the VTA.
I played music that I was very familiar with and immediately noticed improved clarity in both the mids and highs. I told Steve that music was more ‘airy’ (my term).
Steve had suggested that further improvement was possible with two MyMats. Liking what I was hearing, I decided to try a second MyMat with just a hole for the spindle to be placed under the original MyMat.
I added the second MyMat again adjusting the VTA but did not really notice a difference. Steve reached out to me to get some feedback on the second MyMat and I told him I did not hear any difference. Steve let me know that he wanted to work with me to make sure I was completely satisfied and that I should hear improvement with the second mat.
We exchanged several emails and spoke on the phone and he suggested placing the second MyMat under the KAB Poly-Glass mat and the original on top of the KAB Poly-Glass mat.
I decided to compare all of the options using music that I like and am familiar with. I used the song ‘Wildflowers’ from the Wailin’ Jennys album Fifteen. This song has beautiful harmonizing of the girls’ voices as well as some good bass.
As a baseline, I went back to the KAB Poly-Glass mat with the standard Technics mat and listened to the song. After listening, I went through the following iterations and listened to this song three more times, adjusting the VTA for each change.
- Place the single MyMat with the record label cutout on the KAB Poly-Glass mat.
- Place the second MyMat under the original MyMat.
- Place the second MyMat under the KAB Poly-Glass mat and leave the original MyMat on top of KAB Poly-Glass mat.
My initial opinion was confirmed in that I preferred the MyMat to the standard Technics mat and that there was not much difference between 1 and 2. However, the third option was a definite improvement over both 1 and 2. There was a slight improvement in the clarity of the mids and highs but additionally I noticed improvement in bass response. The bass was tighter with the second MyMat.
I listened to 3 other songs with option 3 just to make sure of my initial assessment - Van Morrison - Wild Night, Still-Young Band - Long May You Run and Joe Jackson - Steppin’ Out. I liked what I heard for all 3.
The MyMats are keepers for me and I appreciate the time that Steve spent with me to ensure he has a happy customer.
