MyMat

Review of MyMat

I read about the MyMat on the ‘What’s on your turntable tonight?’ thread and decided to give one a try to see if I could improve on my existing setup.  This is a summary of the process I went through in evaluating the MyMat. 

My setup:

Technics  SL-1200GR with

    - AT VM760SLC MM cartridge

    - KAB Poly-Glass mat

    - Standard Technics Turntable Mat (RGS0008)

Parasound JC3 Jr Phono Preamp

Benchmark DAC3 HGC (using as a preamp as well)

First Watt J2 Amp

Spatial Audio M3 Triode Master speakers

I corresponded with Steve (slaw) and we agreed on a MyMat with a 4 inch cut-out to accommodate the record label.

I removed the Technics Mat and placed the MyMat directly on top of the KAB Poly-Glass mat and adjusted the VTA.

I played music that I was very familiar with and immediately noticed improved clarity in both the mids and highs.    I told Steve that music was more ‘airy’ (my term).

Steve had suggested that further improvement was possible with two MyMats.  Liking what I was hearing,  I decided to try a second MyMat with just a hole for the spindle to be placed under the original MyMat.

I added the second MyMat again adjusting the VTA but did not really notice a difference.    Steve reached out to me to get some feedback on the second MyMat and I told him I did not hear any difference.  Steve let me know that he wanted to work with me to make sure I was completely satisfied and that I should hear improvement with the second mat.  

We exchanged several emails and spoke on the phone and he suggested placing the second MyMat under the KAB Poly-Glass mat and the original on top of the KAB Poly-Glass mat.

I decided to compare all of the options using music that I like and am familiar with.  I used the song ‘Wildflowers’ from the Wailin’ Jennys album Fifteen. This song has beautiful harmonizing of the girls’ voices as well as some good bass.

As a baseline, I went back to the KAB Poly-Glass mat with the standard Technics mat and listened to the song.  After listening, I went through the following iterations and listened to this song three more times, adjusting the VTA for each change.

1. Place the single MyMat with the record label cutout on the KAB Poly-Glass mat.
2. Place the second MyMat under the original MyMat.
3. Place the second MyMat under the KAB Poly-Glass mat and leave the original MyMat on top of KAB Poly-Glass mat.

My initial opinion was confirmed in that I preferred the MyMat to the standard Technics mat and that there was not much difference between 1 and 2.   However, the third option was a definite improvement over both 1 and 2.  There was a slight improvement in the clarity of the mids and highs but additionally I noticed improvement in bass response.  The bass was tighter with the second MyMat.

I listened to 3 other songs with option 3 just to make sure of my initial assessment - Van Morrison - Wild Night,  Still-Young Band - Long May You Run and Joe Jackson - Steppin’ Out. I liked what I heard for all 3.

The MyMats are keepers for me and I appreciate the time that Steve spent with me to ensure he has a happy customer.

@slaw, when I said vinyl is also used as constrained layer damping (it is also used as acoustical damping), in retrospect my use of "the" in front of vinyl makes for a too literal comparison. I have no way of knowing if "your" vinyl is exactly the same as the sheets of generic vinyl used as I described, and if you say it isn’t, I believe you! For the record (not an intended pun, but a pretty good one ;-), I mentioned vinyl being used in constrained-layer damping applications to suggest that vinyl is worthy of being considered a contender as a platter mat, not to disparage the idea.

And, as far as I know, the vinyl I’ve seen used as a damping layer does NOT have the hundreds of little pimples on it’s surface as does your mat, being of a smooth nature. How the heck do you create them, feed the vinyl chocolate and greasy food? ;-)

Thanks for the-free trial offer, which remember everyone, is available to all (except I don’t have to pay upfront ;-) . I’ve been thinking about the My Mat (surely not inspired by the My Pillow ;-), and mats in general. I had a few in the "old days" (80’s-early 90’s), but then started owning tables with an Acrylic or Delrin platter (VPI HW-19 Mk.2, Townshend Audio Rock Elite), which were designed with the idea of the LP being in intimate contact the platter, for vibration absorption and dissipation. You know, the ol’ mechanical impedance matching for the transfer of energy (vibration in this case).

I asked Brooks Berdan if he could get the mat John Bicht was supplying with his Versalab tables, but he wanted a fortune for one. That was like 25 years ago, and I hadn’t again thought about mats until you introduced yours. Being a fellow Townshend Rock owner, and a former fellow HW-19 owner, I feel we’re coming from the same place. I’ll be in contact.

The vinyl of which @slaw speaks is also used in specific applications as constrained-layer damping. LP's are made of PVC, polyvinyl chloride.