Sometimes the best way to judge a component is to remove it from the system after several weeks or months of listening.
...a second listen
I have a Superscoutmaster VPI/rim drive/Classic Platter. Sometime ago, I heard that topping off the platter with a mat would do great things.....I tried a few, and decided on a deerskin mat (cheap)... Its been a couple of months now, but I just removed it and listened again. Why oh why did I think the mat is an improvement?. It diminished all the air from the presentation, eliminated any 3D effect... Now going au natural..