Record Mats In Combination With Weights


One day I was browsing on this site and saw a product for sale.  A vinyl weight that was 900+ grams for $250 USD.  I wondered if having a heavier weight was better.

I ran across some discussion about the problems with using weights.  The record label is technically thicker than the actual listening space on the vinyl. Placing the weight on it can possibly lift the outer portion of the record on lightweight vinyl (80 grams). Additionally, most record mats that come with turntables have a slight indention in the center to compensate for that lager label section.  I recently got the Funk Firm Achromat (3mm). I see that the center portion is a different material and appears to be recessed.  I am currently using a Fluance Hifi High Mass (760 gram) weight stabilizer.

Am I doing a disservice by having both the Achromat and a high mass stabilizer? Thus far, I have only heard good things from my system when both are used, but I am not sure what the weights of my various LPs are.
128x128guakus
mijostyn
Why are you telling me? I've done it.
The key is grinding down a brad for a push pin.
Currently experimenting with Origin Live mat over Counterparts held by Sota Clamp with fo.Q tape on foam.
For me another benefit of the reflex clamp is that it grasps the spindle so I can start the spin on the heavy platter to ease stress on belt.
First belt (without procedure) 1 year.
Second belt (with) 35+ years.
I use a concave copper mat with center weight and an outer ring. The sound changes are significant, specially in those old records that are not totally flat, almost as good as the vacuum system in my Bergmann Galder.
The purpose of a mat and weight/clamp are to dampen the record so that it does not resonate under the stylus.

It is a lot more complex than that.
If you have a reflex clamp or heavy weight with washer under the label, then you are coupling the record to the platter or platter mat.
A concave platter/mat with centre weight/clamp  achieves the same.

Many aftermarket weights with a flat surface/no washer are doing nothing .

Excess weight will wear out a bearing prematurely except for those that use a magnetic thrust bearing. 

Unless you have a high mass platter bearing specifically designed for the additional weight.
Before setting up the Soverign I used the Gravity One on my old table. It was no contest. MUCH better truth of timbre, greater dynamics, impressive detail, extension, just more of everything you want and none of what you don't.

Hyperbole to the extreme.
The Gravity is just a lightweight tuning device that sits on the record.
It does nothing to flatten records, or couple them to the platter surface.
They would have you believe that if you put a piece of flooby on the record label it will improve the stylus performance  2 inches away on the first track. A 1/2 cup coffee or a lump of your childs playdough sitting on the label could be just as effective.

I have heard the Gravity on a variety of turntables - it is garbage, a con.
For comparison i have in house weights/refelx clamps from Final audio, Micro Seiki, Sota, Goldmund, Audiocraft and many others. I laso have a variety of mats in the house from Final audio, Micro Seiki, SAEC, Godlmnd, Sota, Seisin, Sumiko and many others.

When I heard the Gravity we tried it on a variety of mats and turntables.
Yes it slightly altered the sound, improvement - no,.

The worst record weight I have ever heard was the much vaunted "Stillpoints" - again tried on a variety of turntables and mats - worse than useless, although it added a little sharpness it muddied up the upper midrange lower treble by some degree compared to other designs.

There is no "best" weight or platter mat becuase the outcome of any of these aftermarket products is going to depend on the platter construction of each particular turntable and the tracking ability and sound quality of your particular arm/cartridge/phono combination.
This is why I keep  library of platter mats and weights/clamps on hand. It can be illuminating to revisit them from time to time when I am setting up turntables.
To believe that a specific weight/clamp solution will be effective on every turntable no matter what the construction is illogical and foolish.


I have heard the Gravity on a variety of turntables - it is garbage, a con.

Hyperbole to the extreme.

For comparison i have in house weights/refelx clamps from Final audio, Micro Seiki, Sota, Goldmund, Audiocraft and many others. I laso have a variety of mats in the house from Final audio, Micro Seiki, SAEC, Godlmnd, Sota, Seisin, Sumiko and many others.

A 1/2 cup coffee or a lump of your childs playdough sitting on the label could be just as effective.

See what I did there? Used all your own words to demonstrate just how easy it is to throw insults that all boil down to "no you’re not I am neener neener" which frankly is a more respectable reply than you deserve.