Adding a Turntable Mat

tksteingraber, Far as I can tell they have a couple dealers here in the US but none of them carries any stock in hand. So I order direct from Mark Baker at Origin Live in the UK. I would email and ask about shipping. Mine came with my Enterprise arm. The Enabler is so small it should go in a regular mail envelope, but Mark will know for sure. 

Seeking minor/inexpensive tweaks and if a different mat may or may not provide any perceptible improvement.

lewm, that is a two part question.  

Part a) "seeking minor/inexpensive tweaks" and   

Part b) "if a different mat may or may not provide any perceptible improvement."   

The mat question was answered in the first three posts. That leaves "minor/inexpensive tweaks" which can go on forever.  

I wouldn't mess around with the mat but there are quite a few budget tweaks that I know from experience will noticeably improve that table. First of all check the bearing. Everything from back then is old enough for bearing lube to go dry so clean and lube the bearing. 

Then get Nobsound springs. $30 gets you four footers with springs. They will go right under the factory feet. They come with 7 springs per pod, but you will only need 2-3 per pod for your table. This will leave you with enough springs to make more pods for more components. To copy the Nobsound pods simply drill 1/4" holes in some wood or plastic. This nets you a nice improvement for 2 or maybe even 3 components. Not bad for $30.  

Next, VTA. You do have VTA, every turntable does, it is just that the lower end tables call for a little more creativity and ingenuity. It is the tracking angle we are trying to change. Doesn't have to be the whole arm. Loosen the cartridge slightly, slide a very thin shim in at the rear this will have the effect of lowering VTA. Or do the same at the front, this will raise VTA.   

If you do try a cork mat, or any mat that changes the level of the LP, then you will want to try this VTA trick to get back to where it was before. Also keep in mind the way the cartridge is held does affect the sound. So another thing you can do is try different materials between the cartridge and head shell.  

This brings us to your next inexpensive improvement, fO.q tape. At about $60 this is expensive as far as tape goes. But one tiny little piece between the cart and head shell and you will know it is worth it.   

With the rest try pieces under the platter, on the plinth, on the tone arm tube, etc. This stuff is highly effective at eliminating micro-vibrations. The result is you hear a lot more detail that before was smeared and hidden. Again, this is serious stuff. Try it in one area at a time, listening and evaluating as you go. The only guy I know didn't like it ignored this advice and wrapped his whole arm in one fell swoop. Don't be that guy.   

It does have an excellent adhesive that can be removed and reapplied without leaving goop behind. Works on all kinds of components. I have it in my  Herron phono stage inside the chassis, on circuit boards, and caps. Also on caps in my crossovers. Takes a while to apply and use it all up but by the time you do it all adds up to a pretty impressive improvement.  

Another $30 that is highly effective, Origin Live Cartridge Enabler. This one is highly effective all by itself. The cumulative effect of fO.q tape is probably greater, but takes a lot more time and effort. The Cartridge Enabler is one you will hear right away. It does raise the head shell up a bit so this will have the effect of lowering VTA. So if you go the thin cork mat route that will have the effect of raising VTA, and Cartridge Enabler will neutralize that, might be a good combination way to go.