Does anyone know of a source for an inexpensive record or turntable mat?

I need to replace the mat on a vintage "hi-fi" setup.

TIA

Wayne

On Mon, 05 Jan 2004 00:28:56 GMT, Wayne Boatwright wrote:
Does anyone know of a source for an inexpensive record or turntable mat?

I need to replace the mat on a vintage "hi-fi" setup.

Learn how to crosspost, dickhead.

TCS wrote in
.
net:

On Mon, 05 Jan 2004 00:28:56 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
wrote:
Does anyone know of a source for an inexpensive record or turntable
mat?

I need to replace the mat on a vintage "hi-fi" setup.

Learn how to crosspost, dickhead.

You're charming, ****face.

Wayne Boatwright said:

TCS wrote

Learn how to crosspost, dickhead.


You're charming, ****face.

Wayne, meet the Central Scrutinizer.
His manners are not always in sync with his keyboard, note.

On your original question, what size and material do you want the new
mat to be?
I've found several good mats at flea markets, of course I had to buy
the entire (Japanese) turntables around them for approx. $5 a piece...
The arms, platters, plinths etc. can then be used for other projects.

--
Sander deWaal
Vacuum Audio Consultancy

Sander deWaal wrote in
:

Wayne Boatwright said:

TCS wrote

Learn how to crosspost, dickhead.


You're charming, ****face.

Wayne, meet the Central Scrutinizer.
His manners are not always in sync with his keyboard, note.

On your original question, what size and material do you want the new
mat to be?
I've found several good mats at flea markets, of course I had to buy
the entire (Japanese) turntables around them for approx. $5 a piece...
The arms, platters, plinths etc. can then be used for other projects.


Sander, thanks for your reply and suggestion. I would prefer a mat
between 10 and 11 inches in diameter. One goal in adding this to the
turntable is to prevent slippage between the turntable and record, as
this has been a problem. I'm assuming cork, rubber, or a thinner foam
mat would solve this.

Wayne

Wayne Boatwright:

Sander deWaal wrote in
:

Wayne Boatwright said:

TCS wrote

Learn how to crosspost, dickhead.


You're charming, ****face.

Wayne, meet the Central Scrutinizer.
His manners are not always in sync with his keyboard, note.

On your original question, what size and material do you want the new
mat to be?
I've found several good mats at flea markets, of course I had to buy
the entire (Japanese) turntables around them for approx. $5 a piece...
The arms, platters, plinths etc. can then be used for other projects.


Sander, thanks for your reply and suggestion. I would prefer a mat
between 10 and 11 inches in diameter. One goal in adding this to the
turntable is to prevent slippage between the turntable and record, as
this has been a problem. I'm assuming cork, rubber, or a thinner foam
mat would solve this.

Wayne







While some turntables seem to benefit from mats in terms of sound quality, this
is not a universal truth. However, in view of your reason for wanting a mat -
namely, slippage, I'd suggest you seriously consider getting a clamp instead.
Record clamps are an integral part of certain highly regarded turntable brands
such as VPI and others. Their purpose is to lower the noise floor, obtain a
better interface between the record surface and the turntable surface, and of
course, to prevent slippage. In some cases, they can also be helpful in
minimizing or eliminating the effects of slightly warped records. Prices vary
considerably, but you can get an idea from the following website:

www.needledoctor.com


This company also sells mats, should you decide to opt for that accessory.



Bruce J. Richman

Wayne Boatwright said:

Sander, thanks for your reply and suggestion. I would prefer a mat
between 10 and 11 inches in diameter. One goal in adding this to the
turntable is to prevent slippage between the turntable and record, as
this has been a problem. I'm assuming cork, rubber, or a thinner foam
mat would solve this.

Apart from the suggestion by mr. Richman, you could try to experiment
with different kinds of mats.
Most commercial turntables are fitted with a simple rubber mat, but
one of the most important requirements is that the mat is flat, or a
little concave..
Then, when adding a record clamp, the record is kept firmply in place
to the mat.
All this is about supressing and/or absorbing resonances.

The main goal of the mat is to eliminate resonance of the record,
since every movement of the needle is represented as an electrical
signal at the cartridge's output.

Some brands (e.g. Linn) use a thin flannel or felt mat, which has a
different "sound" from a rubber mat.
It's about selecting the one that fits your needs.
At one point in my quest for "better sound", I've even used an acrylic
mat. It was said that the resonance characteristics of such a mat were
comparable to those in a vinyl record.
The "sound" of this mat somehow didn't appeal to me, apart from the
risk of slipping and damaging the record.

I now use a homebrew combination mat of cork at the platter side and
thin rubber at the record's side. In my system, I found this to be the
most satisfying kind of mat.

--
Sander deWaal
Vacuum Audio Consultancy

Sander deWaal wrote:


Wayne Boatwright said:

Sander, thanks for your reply and suggestion. I would prefer a mat
between 10 and 11 inches in diameter. One goal in adding this to the
turntable is to prevent slippage between the turntable and record, as
this has been a problem. I'm assuming cork, rubber, or a thinner foam
mat would solve this.

Apart from the suggestion by mr. Richman, you could try to experiment
with different kinds of mats.
Most commercial turntables are fitted with a simple rubber mat, but
one of the most important requirements is that the mat is flat, or a
little concave..
Then, when adding a record clamp, the record is kept firmply in place
to the mat.
All this is about supressing and/or absorbing resonances.

The main goal of the mat is to eliminate resonance of the record,
since every movement of the needle is represented as an electrical
signal at the cartridge's output.

Some brands (e.g. Linn) use a thin flannel or felt mat, which has a
different "sound" from a rubber mat.
It's about selecting the one that fits your needs.
At one point in my quest for "better sound", I've even used an acrylic
mat. It was said that the resonance characteristics of such a mat were
comparable to those in a vinyl record.
The "sound" of this mat somehow didn't appeal to me, apart from the
risk of slipping and damaging the record.

I now use a homebrew combination mat of cork at the platter side and
thin rubber at the record's side. In my system, I found this to be the
most satisfying kind of mat.

--
Sander deWaal
Vacuum Audio Consultancy








Sander's comment about the main purpose of mats being to control apearance of
unwanted audible resonances is very true and one that I fully agree with. To a
large extent, record clamps also have this goal in mine. I think which of the
2 devices would be most useful depends a lot on the particular brand of
turntable one has, as well as the composition and weight of the turntable
platter. As Sander mentions, Linn turntables come with mats so obviously, that
manufacturer is an advocate of their use. Other well-known brands such as VPI
come with record clamps for even their least expensive models. (I think
Project turntables also include clamps for most of their models).

So if the original poster has a turntable that is made by a current
manufacturer, itr would not hurt to contact that company for their thoughts on
the subjhect as well. I



Bruce J. Richman

(Bruce J. Richman) wrote in
:

While some turntables seem to benefit from mats in terms of sound
quality, this is not a universal truth. However, in view of your
reason for wanting a mat - namely, slippage, I'd suggest you seriously
consider getting a clamp instead. Record clamps are an integral part
of certain highly regarded turntable brands such as VPI and others.
Their purpose is to lower the noise floor, obtain a better interface
between the record surface and the turntable surface, and of course,
to prevent slippage. In some cases, they can also be helpful in
minimizing or eliminating the effects of slightly warped records.
Prices vary considerably, but you can get an idea from the following
website:

www.needledoctor.com


This company also sells mats, should you decide to opt for that
accessory.



Bruce J. Richman


Thanks, Bruce. This is something to consider. If I were to use a record
clamp, however, it would have to be that depends on weight alone and does
not tighten in any way to the spindle. On this particular turntable, the
spindle is stationary.

Wayne

(Bruce J. Richman) wrote in
:

Sander deWaal wrote:


Wayne Boatwright said:

Sander, thanks for your reply and suggestion. I would prefer a mat
between 10 and 11 inches in diameter. One goal in adding this to the
turntable is to prevent slippage between the turntable and record, as
this has been a problem. I'm assuming cork, rubber, or a thinner
foam mat would solve this.

Apart from the suggestion by mr. Richman, you could try to experiment
with different kinds of mats.
Most commercial turntables are fitted with a simple rubber mat, but
one of the most important requirements is that the mat is flat, or a
little concave..
Then, when adding a record clamp, the record is kept firmply in place
to the mat.
All this is about supressing and/or absorbing resonances.

The main goal of the mat is to eliminate resonance of the record,
since every movement of the needle is represented as an electrical
signal at the cartridge's output.

Some brands (e.g. Linn) use a thin flannel or felt mat, which has a
different "sound" from a rubber mat.
It's about selecting the one that fits your needs.
At one point in my quest for "better sound", I've even used an acrylic
mat. It was said that the resonance characteristics of such a mat were
comparable to those in a vinyl record.
The "sound" of this mat somehow didn't appeal to me, apart from the
risk of slipping and damaging the record.

I now use a homebrew combination mat of cork at the platter side and
thin rubber at the record's side. In my system, I found this to be the
most satisfying kind of mat.

--
Sander deWaal
Vacuum Audio Consultancy








Sander's comment about the main purpose of mats being to control
apearance of unwanted audible resonances is very true and one that I
fully agree with. To a large extent, record clamps also have this
goal in mine. I think which of the 2 devices would be most useful
depends a lot on the particular brand of turntable one has, as well
as the composition and weight of the turntable platter. As Sander
mentions, Linn turntables come with mats so obviously, that
manufacturer is an advocate of their use. Other well-known brands
such as VPI come with record clamps for even their least expensive
models. (I think Project turntables also include clamps for most of
their models).

So if the original poster has a turntable that is made by a current
manufacturer, itr would not hurt to contact that company for their
thoughts on the subjhect as well. I



Bruce J. Richman

All good points from you gentlemen, and thank you again. As it happens,
I *must* obtain a mat regardless of other options, since the original mat
had gone missing before I acquired the turntable. The platter is heavy,
and I think the idea of adding a weight-based clamp is a good idea. As
previously mentioned, I cannot use a clamp that clamp that is affixed to
the spindle since it is stationary.

Someone kindly posted a phone number for the manufacturer, and I will be
calling them soon.

Wayne