Vintage DD turntables. Are we living dangerously?

Stuff that involves electronics or moving parts that are known to wear out is an entirely different matter from an inert platter mat.  (By the way, my Mk3 was NOS when I bought it. I have the original carton, etc.) But you are entitled to think and do as you wish.  I didn't mean to rain on your parade. And of course, I am only comparing flawless used mats to NOS mats.  Obviously, a damaged platter mat is worth maybe nothing but certainly much less than a nice sample of a used mat or an NOS mat.  If you look at my sample, hold it in your hand, you would not know whether I took it out of its original box brand new or whether it came to me "pre-owned", as used car dealers in the US are likely to say.  I also own two samples of Boston Audio Mat2.  I bought one brand new and the other I bought used off Audiogon or eBay, used but perfect.  At this point, after many hours of use, you could not tell one from the other.  And they'll be that way indefinitely, unless I mishandle one or the other.


I didn't know about that set screw, but now that I do know, I will continue to ignore it.  What useful purpose would it serve to fasten the mat to the spindle?  (Incidentally, if it's missing, and if one wanted to use it, set screws in all imaginable sizes are available either in a good local hardware store here where I live, or on the internet from such companies as McMaster-Carr.). Yes, it's cool to have the box, etc. That's why I concede I would pay maybe 10% extra for an NOS sample vs a perfect condition used sample.  OK, maybe 20%, if a perfect used one was not available at the time I was searching for this product.  I lack patience.

Dear @lewm  : """  who then became a non-fan of it.  """

After several first hand experiences I become no-fan of any metalmat no matters what.Metal is the main enemy for the LP reproduction in a TT platter. It's the worstplace to have any kind of metal in direct touch with the LP surface. Is way resonant and very fast for the transmision of the feedback resonances to the LP surfaces and then to the cartridge stylus tip/cantilever.

As any ignorant rookie in those all times I was emotionated with every thing with the SAEC name and I bougth not one but 3 SAEC  mats and as I said till I learned and today I have noneof them.

Till today the best mat for  any TT is the original SOTA mat that is out of production. 
You can try to find out this mat where you can attest by your self and confirm my statement and I'm sure that you will put on sale that " garbage " SAEC mat that as all SAEC products are really very well manufactured but this is not its problem.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS, 
R.

for me if possible on the spindle you can also use a clamp above the SS 300 instead of the screw

Raul, I respect your opinion but you are given to extreme views. I also factor that in. What is the composition of the SOTA mat, because I don’t recall that they ever marketed a separate mat? Their earlier turntables had a glued on felt mat which seemed good in theory, coupled with their CLD platter. But I thought it dulled the sound, perhaps partly due to the vacuum hold down system. This was on my Star Sapphire series III.

I should mention that I remain a fan of the Boston Audio Mat2, probably ahead of the ss300 on most turntables. Go on and dump on that one, if you like.