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picking correct Herbie mat?

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Posted on February 5, 2016 at 10:47:43
waltjohns
Audiophile

Posts: 102
Joined: November 15, 2009
 Hi, I've got a Rega P1. Trying to figure out which Herbie Mat to order --- there certainly are a lot of options!

http://herbiesaudiolab.net/ttmat.htm

Thanks,

Nathaniel

 

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RE: picking correct Herbie mat?, posted on February 5, 2016 at 11:17:21
Poinzy
 "With virtually any kind of turntable, a Way Excellent II Turntable Mat is a safe bet to do better than any cork, Sorbothane, shelf-material, or hard carbon/graphite mat."

Because Herbie says so.

I'd say if you're determined to buy something from this outfit, get the very cheapest thing they offer, whatever the mat's made of. Anything is a step up from felt.

 

RE: picking correct Herbie mat?, posted on February 5, 2016 at 11:19:04
waltjohns
Audiophile

Posts: 102
Joined: November 15, 2009
 Yeah problem is they give like 20 size options.

I actually have one now but it's awfully dirty and even a lint roller isn't getting all the dust off. So I'm wondering if I should just buy a new one.

Thanks

 

Choose your thickness, posted on February 5, 2016 at 11:28:00
genungo
 The mats come in different thicknesses and that (along with proper diameter) is the most important parameter to consider. You want your VTA to be optimal with the majority of the records the you play. So, figure out how thick the majority of your records are and go from there.

 

RE: picking correct Herbie mat?, posted on February 5, 2016 at 11:32:00
waltjohns
Audiophile

Posts: 102
Joined: November 15, 2009
 So I should go with:

Way Excellent II-2mm:

Because

"Great upgrade/replacement mat for Pro-Ject; Music Hall MMF-series; Rega Planar-series (except P9); Nottingham Horizon, Horizon SE, Spacedeck. Overall mat thickness: 2mm; weight: 60 grams (2.1 oz.)."

and

"Size options:
295mm (11.6") diameter. Full-size mat for most turntables"

Right?

 

RE: picking correct Herbie mat?, posted on February 5, 2016 at 12:04:53
genungo
 The normal recommendations usually work OK. But once again, if your record collection consists mostly of unusually thick (or unusually thin) records, choose your mat thickness accordingly...

 

Why not e-mail the mat's designer, Steve Herbelein?, posted on February 5, 2016 at 12:33:22
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014
 He's always responded promptly to inquiries I've made. I'm a Big Herbie's fan. Use them on most decks I've owned for the last 10-15 years.





Opus 33 1/3

 

RE: picking correct Herbie mat?, posted on February 5, 2016 at 13:08:56
Rich Brkich
Dealer

Posts: 832
Location: Near Syracuse, New York
Joined: April 3, 2000
 The standard 295mm 2mm thick mat has always worked fine/best for me and is the one I reccomend to my Rega customers. I like the 2mm thick mat as I think that is what most closely matches the thickness of the Rega felt mats.

Walt, if you have one of the Herbies Way Excellent mats, to clean, do what I do to mine: Take it to my sink and rinse it off with warm water using my (clean) hands to help rinse/wipe any dust/lint off. Dry with lint free cloth/towel and the mat is as good as new.

IMHO, having compared Steve Herbelien's mats to more expensive Ringmat and Funk Firm mat, I find it better sounding than those mats on the Rega tables I have done the comparison on. Only mat I have found better is the really good but quite expensive Boston Audio mat (I use that on my RP8).

ALSO, some more 2 cents here. As much as I like the Herbies mat, I think it works best on the Rega glass platters (I use it on any RP3 or RP6 I have in use here)... On the phenolic/plastic RP1 platter, I really like the (more affordable) leather mat from hideinthesound.com. I like their $33 Suede on on our demo RP1.

Happy Listening,
Rich Brkich
Ownwer/Operator Signature Sound

 

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