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Adding a Turntable Mat

   I have an older turntable (Pioneer PL-530). Am the original owner. Have done a few things to keep this table operating as original as possible. Yeah, I know this isn't a high end table by any means. Rather than receiving a flood of advice on what tables are better, I would like to hear from someone who may have knowledge/experience with different types of table mats.
   My table has no VTA adjustment capability. The stock platter mat is rubber. Seeking minor/inexpensive tweaks and if a different mat may or may not provide any perceptible improvement. If it's inexpensive and provides no improvement....no problem.
   Here's my question.....For example...If I installed a thin cork mat, could that mat simply be placed on top of the existing rubber mat or should the rubber mat be removed first and then just use the cork mat? Remember, this table doesn't have VTA adjustment.
Thanks

jrpnde

Showing 2 responses by lewm

lewm
12,543 posts
 
First 2 posts offer very specific opinions, and then you wrote that you “wouldn’t mess around with the mat”. ( I now realize that your original response was the 4th post.) From there the responses went off in many directions. Just thought I’d add my 2 cents, on the subject of the importance of a record mat. Did not mean to step on any toes. I’m as guilty as anyone else when it comes to digression.
lewm
12,543 posts
 
It’s very funny that the OP asks about mats, and he gets advice about a half a dozen other different tweaks by and large, with almost no mention of turntable mats. I must disagree with anyone who maintains that mats make very little difference. Rather, I think of a turntable mat as vitally important to the sonic character offered by a turntable, tonearm, and cartridge. It is rather like seasoning your food. Judicious choices can significantly affect your dining and listening pleasure.Problem is that I think each individual has to decide for himself what mat sounds best on his turntable in his system. So I would not give specific advice, except perhaps to get rid of those floppy heavy rubber mats that typically were delivered with vintage Japanese turntables of all types. Start from there. My additional advice would be to get rid of the OEM rubber mat entirely; do not place an aftermarket mat on top of the OEM mat.
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