The amazing new Marigo Evolution Signature Mat


I want to share my amazingly positive experience with the new Marigo Evolution Signature CD Mat. I have used Marigo's CD mats over the years from their very first offering, I believe about fifteen or so years ago. The Evolution Signature mat is the fourth iteration of the Marigo mat. Each successive "generation" had wrought positive improvements from my Mark Levinson Reference 31.5 transport. (While the top loading Levinson comes with its own CD clamp, I have ordered parts from Levinson and have made my own CD clamp, substituting their carbon fiber disk for your Marigo mat.) The latest Evolution Signature mat's improvement is so substantial that it is a larger "jump" in performance than from the standard Levinson clamp to the last generation "3D Signature V2" mat!
I hear a startling increase in the focus of imaging placement within the sound stage. The focus of everything in that sound stage is both tighter and possesses a three dimensional body that most digital simply lacks. Tone saturation is richer. The bass not only goes deeper, but is more tuneful as well. The highs are better defined and extended. The mid range is the icing on the cake. Voices are much better defined and clarified, combined with the improvement in density of tone and harmonic texture now sound shockingly real and alive. The sense of space and performance venue is greatly improved as well.

Overall the music has so much more of a relaxed quality to it similar to that of master tape analogue that allows me to simply listen to the music and not work as hard having my brain trying to connect the "digital dots". The increased resolution, focus, dynamics, detail, sense of space, articulation, and what I would call a "continuousness" of saturated tone, all combine to literally transform my digital playback to a level that I have never experienced before! I know that this must seem like hyperbole. The overall improvement is SHOCKING!

In the context of my high end system the $200 that I had paid for Evolution Signature mat that replaced the Reference V2 mat, was the cheapest money that I have ever spent for the most improvement in my system!

If anyone has a Reference V2 mat, they may be loathe to replace it, as it is most excellent. I can tell you from first hand experience, that the new Evolution signature mat is on a whole different and much higher level of sonic improvement.

For anyone has never tried a Marigo CD mat or any mat for that matter, this is the one to have. This is not just a simple "tweak", this is an essential and basically "give away" priced in terms of the substantial sonic upgrade that truly must be experienced to be believed. In the context of my high end audio system, this is making an improvement that I did not think possible and at a price that was ridiculously low. Based on my listening experience, this may be the biggest bargain in audio today!
coopersark
You are being argumentative and cannot support your claim. Furthermore, name calling is childish and unprofessional.
Couple of us at Starsound had our hand in the development of a CD cover mat several years back. Ours [I still have a couple for my own use] had a feature that no other brand attempted... repeatable top and edge cover all with the same device and three other design features as well .. The truly amazing thing about this device was when you added color to its inside surface even with a slight variation in shade you could easily hear the difference in the playback of music. Those variations in shading when added would be listened and compared to a reference that was all black..and when a new shade would become the new reference it too would have to be compared to another family shade. Now you have the color and shade down now you have to compare the finish of the paint. The finish makes as much difference as the color choice. The human ear and body is one giant sensory detector. Tom
I am rather certain the color(s) of the inks used in the manufacture of the CD label influence(s) the sound, as well as the results of various mats. While I'm keen on the color turquoise, it appears that different CDs often respond differently to a particular color - either the color of pen used to paint the edges or CD mat. A prime example is Mercury Living Presence classical CDs that have black and white labels. While most CDs respond well to coloring the edges green, the Mercurys sound worse with green but better with red.
With our mat the edges did not need to be painted ..Secondary edge treatment was dismissed because the design encompassed the entire CD. Tom
Pretty cool, Tom. Ours are located at the critical interface between the CD and the tray.
HI all,

Here's what I've learned in my brief foray on this site.

First, after having used the new mat for over two weeks, I can say that it has clearly increased my systems performance and my ability to further enjoy the music. I highly recommend that you try one, with a money back guarantee. You may be pleasantly surprised. I will not be returning mine.

Second, it's really a shame that those who have no knowledge of a product choose to admonish and insult well intentioned people without any basis for such actions.

To that group, you may want to reconsider your attitude about what you read and how it may help you to learn and enjoy music to a greater degree. To the best of my knowledge, I believe that is the core goal of this hobby.

Finally, this has been my first experience posting on this site and will be my last post on this thread or any other Audiogon thread for that matter. There are other audio sites where the members post intelligent, defensible comments and treat each other with respect and dignity.

To those who have made positive contributions to this thread, I thank you.

Happy listening to all.
Ok are you guys talking about colors actually serious ? I have got to know.

Love this thread :)
Color, finish and texture all three for sure. Add one more and that is material foursure.. Tom
Color is an important issue for sound, aside from the way color influences the sound of cd players. For example, all things being equal a room with blue walls will sound considerably better than a room with white or green walls, and a room with a green ceiling will sound superior to the same room with a different color ceiling or white ceiling. Another example how color affects the sound is a power cord with a white jacket will sound superior to the same power cord with a black or different color jacket. In fact, wrapping a power cord that has a black jacket with white tape will improve the sound.

Geoff
Machina Dynamica
Advanced Audio Concepts
I have some new acoustic devices that I now use on my speakers and lay on the floor. The way that sound travels over and around these devices can be altered by the finish flat, satin or pebbled coarse. The placement required determines the finish and the resulting sonic benefit. Tom
I don't know if you remember the old color organs. Just a box that would turn different colors dependent on the freq. running through it. An electronic project in high school. Mid 1960's. Now that really effected the sound. It was kind of psychedelic, it almost made you have an out of body experience. You had to be there. I think that is where the history of color and sound got started. I think I should write an authoritative book on it. Do you think audio phillies would like it. Oh sure they like everything. At least with a color organ you don't just hear the difference you can see it. Should appeal to those that say, if you can't measure it, it ain't so you are just delusional. You shouldn't let curiosity get you goooo aheeaadd and check that color organ out. Remember you can see the difference.
i find myself agreeing with Ballyhoo - he is spot on with my experience over the years - to me a lot of the high end is total bs

i do have the signature evolution mat however and tone color is def more pronounced - focus is better - the overall presentation is more coherent - i have a $2500 player that is fairly new. - so it is bringing improvements.

the issue for me is that when i read a review like coopersark's i think that in my system - and with the expectations that his words translated into the way i think that for instance the word "shocking" will be. I get totally let down when that particular tweak doesn't live up to my interpretation.

the true test for me is will i be using it in 3 months?

ive had so many mats, cables, isolators, cd players, tweaks over the years - within 3-4 months i could care less if that particular tweak is in my system

on more than one occasion ive told my friend that shows some interest in what i do in my system - that the a lot of the high end is all bs
I ask if anyone thinks this all is bs for years why do da da da da da da da. There has to be a better place for you. Are trying to protect us from ourselves. Is doesn't sound like it, but if you do I hope you check statistical data before you do so we get the highest PROBABILITY for the best results we wouldn't want to end up like you know who. Why aren't you out constructively doing da da da da da.
I just received a marigo 3d Sigature v2 mat and it definitely improves my sound. I hear more inner detail and the soundstage is larger and wider etc. I am wondering is the one I have the newest one or is this (Evolution) newer than what i have. Just curious, when i purchased from another Audiogoner he said this was it! Thanks, Goldenears
Goldenears, music direct has a picture.The evolution is latest and does not go by the name marigo 3d signature v2.
Thank you very much for all the info. I do believe all who have listened 2 both agree the Evolution is by far better than the last Sig V2 that I just purchased from jazzMaster3 on this site. I was under the impression I had the latest one but obviously not! I hope he wasn't just trying to dump it and buy the newer one which I now must do. Thanks
Just ordered one today from the cable company. I will post my findings when I receive it.
I got my cd mat yeserday and all I can say is wow, this is one heck a tweak. It is like a component upgrade. Music is much smoother, less digital sounder for sure. It just improves everthing. It is like getting a new cd player. I am using it with a modded denon 3910 dvd player, this is one of the best upgrades I have gotten especially for the price paid, I am definitly keeping mine
After reading all the hype about the CD mat, I decided to purchase one from MusicDirect. I received mine yesterday and heard NO DIFFERENCE at all. On my system their was absolutely no sonic improvement. Just sent it back today.
Cary CD-500
PassLabs XP-10 preamp
Pass Labs X250.5 amp
Vandersteen 5A speakers
I should stick to your MP3 player Ziggy. if you are unable to hear any difference with the Evolution mat, you either have a serious issue with your CD player or your hearing. I was so delighted with the new mat I sent Ron at Marigo Labs an immediate note to congratulate him,see below:

I have just received your Evolution signature CD mat from one of your U.K. suppliers (Absolute Analogue) . I was thinking of replacing my current CD Mat (Marigo Signature) but I waited and was hoping you were working on an update - which you were!
This new CD mat is so wonderful, I felt I had to send a note to congratulate you. My CD player is a Naim CDX2 which has a retaining puck for the CD. The thinner mat is great as the puck is now at its most effective- an added bonus.
All your very wide ranging claims for this mat are true!! I have brought my CD replay up to a very high standard in the last few years with the best supports, mains filtration , mains cables etc. The lower noise floor with this mat is equal to one (or more !) major component upgrades. I swear the the mat is becoming more effective the more Cd's I play! Impossible of course but on the best sound quality CD, the sound is truly amazing. Listening to my Pete Hurford Bach Organ CD's at full belt all the wonderful sonic benefits are heard.
Congratulations again, please keep working on improvements!!!
i have several cd players, and a transport.

the transport is a ps audio perfect wave dac. my favorite cd player is the audionote cd2. ialso own other cd players.

with respect to cd mats, of which i have several, including the previous marigo mat and millenium mat,

both the ps audio and audionote when used with a mat, sontribute to a degradtion of sound.

so inaddition to an improvement in sound, no difference in sound add a cd mat as detrimental to the sound.

while the latter case seems counter intuitive, you'll have to trust me on my perception because there is no evidence to disconfirm it.

of course i'll admit that one person's idea of an improvement may be another's sense of a worsening of sound.

incidentally, in all of the posts where components are compared and assertions are made as to one sounding better than another, the subjective nature, and the connotating criteria, vary among audiophiles.

such is the reason for being careful when making a serious decision based upon sense perception.

when one can return a component, the cost is only shipping.