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Best mat choices for high mass metal turntables?

I've recently changed analog sources from a VPI Scout to an Acoustic Signature Final Tool. I'm curious if other owners of similar high mass, metal turntables have preferred their tables with mats or with bare platters? I've researched this forum and the Vinyl Asylum, but most responses to mat questions have centered around acrylic platters and tables of lesser mass. I notice that another similar design turntable, Acoustic Signature, supplies a laminate mat of suede/acrylic. Any owners of those tables care to comment? The mat supplied with my table was the ubiquitous thin felt variety which sounds horrible to my ears. Sucks the life out of the highs and muffles the bass. I'm running the Final Tool with a Garrott Optim FGS moving magnet cartridge. I find the sound I'm getting now to be a serious upgrade from the VPI Scout. However, the Scout does have a slightly more fulsome and fleshed out lower frequency range which I quite like. I'd like a mat that at least preserves the current tonal balance, if not lending a smidgen more emphasis on the bass. This preference makes me question the suitability of the Boston Audio mat considering other reports. At this point, Herbies Way Excellent mat or maybe a leather laminate mat seem to be the most likely candidates from what I've read. Ideas?
photon46
7 responses Add your response
2002ss335
84 posts
 
When I looked at your setup it seems that you have a butcher block under the table. I found that my Samba was too dead sounding doing that, so I put hardwood floor samples under the feet.

This livened things up considerably and the butcher block helps keep vibrations from reaching the table. It is a cheap tweak that you might want to try before buying any mats.

There is a discussion of mats for AS tables in the link about 12 responses down.

There is no reason the Final Tool should give up anything to the Scout, I bought the Samba instead of the Scout two years ago and keep missing getting a Final Tool when they appear.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1218091473&openfrom&10&4#10

Regards,
Todd
photon46 OP
1,082 posts
 
Thanks for that link Todd, I missed that. Believe me, the only thing the Final Tool gives up to the Scout at this point is a slight bit of bass "slam" and fullness. In all other respects, it quite outdistances the Scout. I've got the Tool sited on a 3 1/2" thick 16"x21" maple plinth with small brass cupped discs between the very sharp cones of the turntable and the plinth. I'll try the hardwood tweak you mention. I've got small blocks of several species of hardwoods.
2002ss335
84 posts
 
"I've got the Tool sited on a 3 1/2" thick 16"x21" maple plinth with small brass cupped discs between the very sharp cones of the turntable and the plinth."

That is the way I had mine and now I have the hardwood under the discs.

Regards,
Todd
dertonarm
1,042 posts
 
Look for a mat which does match the vinyl record's material as close as possible. Make sure to get an extremely thin adhesive tape both sides and stick the mat firmly onto the surface of the platter. Just placing a mat on any turntable platter without firmly attaching it to the platter is not 20% of its performance. Make sure the mat as a "gap" for the label part of the record. Do use a good clamp to firmly press down the LP as much as possible. Any mat can only offer its full potential if firmly attached to the platter and if the record itself has as much contact with the mat as possible.
blueranger's avatar
blueranger
719 posts
 
I have a Final Tool also and after going through the Ring Mat and several felt mats I settled on the Extreme Phono Donut mat with Graphite Speed mat. Details pop out and it is not an insignificant difference. Have not tried a gel mat though. Also put 3 Myrtle wood blocks under the feet. They make a difference too. I have a Billy Bags component rack and its not the best at dampening vibrations. Mike
sonofjim
557 posts
 
I agree that the best sound comes from a good Carbon/graphite mat firmly attached to the platter with adhesive tape. My current favorite is the Boston Audio Design Mat 1. I'm in the process of orderring the Mat 2 which is 5mm thick as opposed to the 3mm of the Mat 1. These are also more affordable than the copper mat I tried which sounded muffled in comparison.
photon46 OP
1,082 posts
 
Thanks for taking the time to answers guys. I tried using blocks of ebony, bubinga, and mahogany between the table's feet and the maple plinth. None sounded better than it does now after removing the brass protective discs and letting the cones stick in the wood directly. The maple is a very hard old Michigan maple with really small growth rings. SonofJim, please post your findings of the 5mm vs. 3mm Boston Mat after having chance to evaluate. Blueranger, thanks for the heads up on the Extreme Phono. I wasn't familiar with that product, looks like a good value. I agree about BB racks. As much as I like some aspects of my Billy Bags rack, it's no champ at vibration dampening.
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