I've been experimenting with this for several years. It's incredibly complicated to answer as it depends on the turntable design, turntable platter material as well as the mat material.
My new found, favorite mat is the TTM from Japan, nearly 7 pounds of stainless steel and matched to same brand "oil filled" record weight. This works the best I've heard on my Technics MK3 but could be too heavy for a lot of tables.
A great second place mat is a toss up between Micro Seiki Cu180 and Cu500, both are lighter weight than TTM and softer material, less dynamic and overall warmer but also less money and easier on the turntable drive system and bearing (especially the Cu-180).
If those suggestions are still too heavy and / or too expensive, the Boston Carbon Fiber mat is a great option. Less money, available currently (others mentioned are no longer made) and light enough to cause few problems on most high end tables.
Some drive systems will be adversely effected by super heavy mats, so as soon as I (or someone else) suggests a mat, trying it for yourself may result in different outcome due to drive system interaction.
We have not even touched on the effect this extra weight might have on the suspension system (assuming the table has one). The mat gets the blame because it's the new variable when it might be you're screwed the isolation.
Just a few ideas about why it's complicated and requires some testing. Perhaps Stanwal's response "EXECUTION" is the simple answer.
My new found, favorite mat is the TTM from Japan, nearly 7 pounds of stainless steel and matched to same brand "oil filled" record weight. This works the best I've heard on my Technics MK3 but could be too heavy for a lot of tables.
A great second place mat is a toss up between Micro Seiki Cu180 and Cu500, both are lighter weight than TTM and softer material, less dynamic and overall warmer but also less money and easier on the turntable drive system and bearing (especially the Cu-180).
If those suggestions are still too heavy and / or too expensive, the Boston Carbon Fiber mat is a great option. Less money, available currently (others mentioned are no longer made) and light enough to cause few problems on most high end tables.
Some drive systems will be adversely effected by super heavy mats, so as soon as I (or someone else) suggests a mat, trying it for yourself may result in different outcome due to drive system interaction.
We have not even touched on the effect this extra weight might have on the suspension system (assuming the table has one). The mat gets the blame because it's the new variable when it might be you're screwed the isolation.
Just a few ideas about why it's complicated and requires some testing. Perhaps Stanwal's response "EXECUTION" is the simple answer.