Turntable Mats: Rubber, Felt or Cork.


I have a Linn Basik Turntable with an Akito tonearm and Rega Exacta 2 cartridge. Would one expect a noticeable sonic difference when changing from a felt mat to a rubber and cork mat?
joscow

Showing 2 responses by 2channel8

1) I can't find the MyMat on US Audio Mart. A little help, please?
2) isn't it the height of insanity (or arrogance) to recommend that one spend $250 on a mat for a Linn Basik? That money surely could be better spent.
3) I have a Linn Basik in my "B" system. It came with the original felt mat which causer more ststic than anyting I ever used before. I tried a few different leather, cork and rubber mats and settled on a 'Simple Mat' similar to this one.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G716NPQ?tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1
It sounded better than the felt and it didn't stick to the LP every time I changed records.
4) In my main system I have an Oracle Alexandria MK III. It came with a felt mat that was soft on one side and harder on the other. I replaced it with a sorbothane Groove Isolater that I had from an older Alexandria; but by that time Oracle was recommending an acrylic mat, which they sold for $215 in 2016. I thought I'd try an inexpensive version I got on ebay before I committed that much. I liked it so much I got one for the Basik, as well. Now I use one on the Alex and simply add a Wasabi (Highly recommended as @cardani mentioned) when I'm playing an LP under 180 grams, so I don't have to adjust VTA every time.
On The Basik I use an acrylic mat with the Simple Mat to soften things up a bit, as it fits that system's sound better.

5) The Basik does not have a very powerful motor. Don't use anything too heavy and Linn does NOT recommend clamps or weights for this reason.

Best of listening, and I am interested in your mat, @slaw, if I can find it
@chakster 

The Linn Basik is NOT awful. Could you please try to open your mind up to those of us who are not "cost is no object" members!

There were many reviews of the Basik/LVX table paired with a Shure V15 that declared it the best value in high end (for that time) audio.

Even if the Basik was awful(NOT); the idea that a freakin mat could resolve all it's IMAGINED faults is just bull SH!t. Repeat BULL $HIT!

I still enjoy my Basik with a Shure V15 RS with a Jico SAS stylus. It fits in very well in a small room with a Nakamichi Reciever 2 and PSB Imagine XBs (If only 'She Who Must Be Obeyed' would let me bring mt Bostn Acoustics T-830s back up from the basement!!!!) It sounds very respectable. The Mats only make VERY subtle differences.

I very rarely make such strong ststements; but in this case my actual experience gives me all the courage I need.

@chakster , I was a follower; but now I know that how ever limited my experience may be compared to others; my opinion is at least as valid, to me and probably to other readers.