Flat mat (felt)?

[Thomas_A]

I wonder if anyone has experience of records mats that are flat. I realise this may sound a bit strange but both my mats, an old original Linn felt mat and a rubber mat I have are not flat. A record directly on the platter shows less wobble than using either of the mats. I prefer a felt mat for being able to easier center the record (a bit slippery).

 

[DVDdoug]

I realise this may sound a bit strange but both my mats, an old original Linn felt mat and a rubber mat I have are not flat.

Not-flat, how? Sometimes the record might be supported at the label and outer rim so nothing touches the "grooves" (except the stylus). .

if it's wobbling while playing there is danger of rumble-like noise.

Otherwise, you probably wouldn't hear a difference in a blind listening test. I've heard differences from cartridges but the turntable itself (or tonearm) never made a difference I could hear unless it was broken, or I've heard rumble from cheap plastic "record players".

 

[Nopiano]

You mention ‘wobble’ and centring the record. The mat should not change the fit on the centre spindle, unless it is so thick it lifts the record proud enough to loosen it on a tapered spindle. Alternatively, a few records may have a fractionally larger centre hole, hence it is possible to affect how concentrically it rotates.

 

[Thomas_A]

Not-flat, how? Sometimes the record might be supported at the label and outer rim so nothing touches the "grooves" (except the stylus). .

if it's wobbling while playing there is danger of rumble-like noise.

Otherwise, you probably wouldn't hear a difference in a blind listening test. I've heard differences from cartridges but the turntable itself (or tonearm) never made a difference I could hear unless it was broken, or I've heard rumble from cheap plastic "record players".

I don't really know how or why but it seems just not to be "flat".

No mat:

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Linn felt mat:

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

 

[melloncolliecat]

I’ve had a few different mats, didn’t really make a difference to the sound, from what I could hear. Clear differences in isolation, though (when measured, not when listening). The Oyaide BR-12 does a good job of isolating, but it’s angled and the rubbery material really holds records in place, so not what you’re looking for. Second best, of the ones I have tried - in terms of isolation - is the Funk Firm Achromat. And that one has a very smooth, slippery surface. Comes in 3 and 5 mm versions, could be rather expensive for what it is though...

 

[Thomas_A]

I think my Linn felt mat has shrunk a bit so therefore it is uneven. First step is to get a new. I am however suprised that the rubber mat I got a few years ago is uneven as well.

 

[sqrl]

I wonder if anyone has experience of records mats that are flat. I realise this may sound a bit strange but both my mats, an old original Linn felt mat and a rubber mat I have are not flat. A record directly on the platter shows less wobble than using either of the mats. I prefer a felt mat for being able to easier center the record (a bit slippery).

I've been using a Mitmat, which is flat and non-gripping.

 

[Thomas_A]

I've been using a Mitmat, which is flat and non-gripping.

Checked the spec, seems to be in 295 and 300 mm size and 3 mm thickness. I will however try first with a new original mat and test it.

 

[Ruediger]

I use cork mats from bfly. A thicker mat that's flat. Accompanied by an optional thin mat that leaves out just the center label.

 

[Thomas_A]

I’ve had a few different mats, didn’t really make a difference to the sound, from what I could hear. Clear differences in isolation, though (when measured, not when listening). The Oyaide BR-12 does a good job of isolating, but it’s angled and the rubbery material really holds records in place, so not what you’re looking for. Second best, of the ones I have tried - in terms of isolation - is the Funk Firm Achromat. And that one has a very smooth, slippery surface. Comes in 3 and 5 mm versions, could be rather expensive for what it is though...

Been thinking on a sligtly concave mat, but they are not too common and rather expensive. And I've never seen one that is in a slippery format, e.g. felt.

 

[Palmer]

I’ve had a few different mats, didn’t really make a difference to the sound, from what I could hear. Clear differences in isolation, though (when measured, not when listening). The Oyaide BR-12 does a good job of isolating, but it’s angled and the rubbery material really holds records in place, so not what you’re looking for. Second best, of the ones I have tried - in terms of isolation - is the Funk Firm Achromat. And that one has a very smooth, slippery surface. Comes in 3 and 5 mm versions, could be rather expensive for what it is though...

I have the Achromat in 3mm and do like it, on acrylic platters the Derenville mat is fantastic, last I checked Dr. Feickert sells it now, and it got more expensive. Should have grabbed a couple, when I had the chance. Best mat so far, still - the Merrill lead mat. Have to try to make clones. Hard to get that, flat is another matter with these.

Cheers

 

[Elkerton]

At the risk of being redundant, an article by Floyd Toole et al I posted in another thread from 45 years ago. It's still relevant.

 

[Thomas_A]

I just bought a new felt mat and it was better than my 36 year old one that had shrunk and was uneven.

 

[AaronJ]

I really like Herbie's Way Excellent II turntable mat. It seems to make excellent contact with the record and holds it firmly in place, yet does not build up any static charge so the record lifts off easily. I'm not a fan of tweaks but I think it is an excellent value for sensible money and performs exactly as advertised.

 

[DSJR]

I kind of discovered that records like to be supported more at the centre and, on the decks I have with deep dished label areas, I've taken steps to offer better support. The mat material chosen is determined by the deck and it's feedback structure as well as the characteristics of the pickup I feel and is one of the anal hobby things that vinyl playback attracts.

 

[Balle Clorin]

I don't really know how or why but it seems just not to be "flat".

No mat:

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Linn felt mat:

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Can you display the result please?

 

[Thomas_A]

Can you display the result please?

In what way? I have not measured it, only visualised it.

 

[Balle Clorin]

Misunderstood then, thought you made a frequency sweep or something

 

[Thomas_A]

Misunderstood then, thought you made a frequency sweep or something

No, I never pursued it. Was happy after changing mat - the new one was better.

 

[Balle Clorin]

I don't really know how or why but it seems just not to be "flat".

No mat:

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Linn felt mat:

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

saw the files now. I think you can benefit from a clamp, quite obviois "warp". Maybe you use a clamp and this was just for illustration of the mat?