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REVIEW: Herbie's Audio Lab Herbie's Way Excellent Turntable Mat Accessory

Posted by RM on October 7, 2004 at 01:15:14:

Model: Herbie's Way Excellent Turntable Mat
Category: Accessory
Suggested Retail Price: $44.95
Description: Turntable Mat
Manufacturer URL: Herbie's Audio Lab
Model Picture: View
Review by RM (A) on October 07, 2004 at 01:15:14
IP Address: 220.253.64.4 Add Your Review
for the Herbie's Way Excellent Turntable Mat
This is the only Herbie's Product which didn't work in my system. All their other gear which I have - tube dampers, iso mat, tenderfeet, booties, ball cups+ebony balls work a treat.
For example, the ball cups + ebony balls (x3) were a revelation under the Rega P9 focusing the music's energy with gusto and clarity. Bass lines in particular were much better defined.
The turntable mat however just went the opposite way with the P9 IN MY SYSTEM - it overdamped the record and drained the music of a fair bit of its natural dynamics and verve. The sound was certainly smoother and had added warmth over the stock wool mat, but the lack of sparkle and oomph was too much a liability.
I guess that the P9's very special ceramic platter is meant to be left alone. As soon as I returned the stock wool mat, PRESTO! the music was back.
As always, Steve from Herbie's demonstrated fabulous customer support and refunded my purchase price even before the mat was back in his hands.
Product Weakness: N/A
Product Strengths: N/A
Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Original Quad II monoblocs
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Graham Slee projects Era Gold V phono stage + home brew dual mono volume control box using Noble pots
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Rega P9, Expressimo Audio Heavyweight, Marigo Damping Dots + Garrott Bros Optim FGS MM cartridge
Speakers: Tannoy Turnberry
Cables/Interconnects: Nordost Red Dawn i/c + Blue Heaven bi-wire speaker with Eichmann bananas
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Simply Red PICTURE BOOK, Schubert DEATH & THE MAIDEN STRING QUARTET (DGG), Patricia Barber MODERN COOL, Tracy Chapman 1st Album, Pentangle 1st Album.
Room Size (LxWxH): 3.9 x 3.6 x 2.8
Room Comments/Treatments: Herbies Audio Labs HAL-O tube dampers, tenderfeet, ball cups + ebony ball equipment support
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2 days
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): DBA Electronics Line Balancer + RC300 Voltage Regulator, Stealth Audio HAC power cords, PS Audio JuiceBar
Type of Audition/Review: Home Audition

Model:	Herbie's Way Excellent Turntable Mat
Category:	Accessory
Suggested Retail Price:	$44.95
Description:	Turntable Mat
Manufacturer URL:	Herbie's Audio Lab
Model Picture:	View

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Original Quad II monoblocs
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Graham Slee projects Era Gold V phono stage + home brew dual mono volume control box using Noble pots
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Rega P9, Expressimo Audio Heavyweight, Marigo Damping Dots + Garrott Bros Optim FGS MM cartridge
Speakers:	Tannoy Turnberry
Cables/Interconnects:	Nordost Red Dawn i/c + Blue Heaven bi-wire speaker with Eichmann bananas
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Simply Red PICTURE BOOK, Schubert DEATH & THE MAIDEN STRING QUARTET (DGG), Patricia Barber MODERN COOL, Tracy Chapman 1st Album, Pentangle 1st Album.
Room Size (LxWxH):	3.9 x 3.6 x 2.8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Herbies Audio Labs HAL-O tube dampers, tenderfeet, ball cups + ebony ball equipment support
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 days
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	DBA Electronics Line Balancer + RC300 Voltage Regulator, Stealth Audio HAC power cords, PS Audio JuiceBar
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition