|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
52.144.112.101
Hi,
I'm considering trying out this glass platter mat for my Technics 1200 MKII, but was wondering if there was any concern about weight, etc for the Technics platter. Not to mention its potential effect on the sound. Here's the ebay link:
https://www.ebay.com/p/Glass-Crystal-Turntable-Direct-Mat-Platter-Audiophile-Grade-Audio-6mm-Thick-1kg/1362084040
Thanks,
JB Coleman
Follow Ups:
Check out the KAB website for an accessory Poly-Metal mat with a thin Technics rubber mat designed for the SL-1200, any questions call Kevin.
Edits: 08/06/17 08/06/17
I've not had an SL 1200 in house, but for a few years I had an SP10 mkII. I experimented with mats on that one. And the stock rubber mat was always a reference to come back to. It was more than just rubber. Kind of gummy poly stuff. But easily improved upon.I experimented with different foams, some of my own diy'ing. With some degree of success.
The best mat I tried, that I could easily recognize as an improvement was a rather expensive machined graphite mat from Boston Audio. For the SP10 mkII I chose the BA mat 2 because it had the same thickness as the original mat. The improvements heard I'd describe as clarity in the upper frequencies and also some fine inner details became better articulated with that mat in place. The downside was that because the graphite mat is comparatively hard, it does not grip the record and really needs to be used in combination with a record weight to push the record against the somewhat slippery mat. And I should think that you'd be similarly inclined toward trying out a record weight should you try one of those hard glass platter mats. No traction there, either.
Boston Audio also makes a thinner graphite mat that will likely be more practical on the SL1200, 'mat 1'.
I can also say that the Herbies foam mats are good. I have one that I have used on all of my turntables. The benefit this mat provides is improved clarity of detail, and transparency in the upper mids to high frequencies. And the Herbies mats are soft and provide some traction for the Lp to spin against.
re: the glass mats. I can't imagine any vibe dampening happening between the glass mat and the Lp. But there are some popular examples of glass platters in use, eg: Rega P3. It seems unlikely to me but there are countless examples of happy users saying positive things about such applications. Therefore, I don't know.
-Steve
Edits: 08/05/17
There is obviously no right and wrong, just opinion, but I have owned both a Mk2 and now a Mk3. In both cases, I found that the factory rubber mat was easily bested by either a Boston Audio Mat2 or an SAEC SS300 (a vintage Japanese metal mat which can often be found for sale on eBay). Of those two, the edge went to the BA Mat2, but not by much. Both of those also sounded superior, to my ears, to the Herbie's Way Excellent mat.
Like many others, I would not think that glass is a particularly good choice for a mat (or a platter, for that matter).
Thanks, the Boston Audio Mat 2 just went to the top of my list.
Best,
JB Coleman
or at least they no longer make the graphite mats. But you can find them on eBay or Audiogon for ca $200 now and then. I just recently bought a second one, via one of those sources.
What are you seeking to accomplish? What do you find deficient with your present set-up?
Glass mat? That seems a bad idea :
1. Glass will ring. Unless well damped it will add unpleasant colorations. For example Rega use a glass platter which is then damped with a comparatively thick felt mat.
2. The one advertised weighs a lot - a kilo. Unless you know for sure that your turntable's bearing can cope with what is quite a significant additional load leave well alone.
3. Being 6mm thick you will note from the picture of it that this leaves little of the spindle protruding. A record on a smooth surface like glass will tend to slip when rotated especially when the pickup arm and cartridge are placed on it. A solution to this is to use a record clamp. But in this case that it not feasible becuase there is insufficient spindle to hold the clamp.
Thanks for the detailed response! My main concern, I must say, is the 1 kg weight. I don't want to overstress the spindle. On the other hand, I used to own a Michell Gyro, which had a hard surface--the tonality was really nice on that. The Technics is far less finicky in general, but I would like to get some of that Gyro tonality back. I'll probably pass on the glass mat, on the basis of the feedback in this thread, but maybe try something else.
Thanks,
JB Coleman
" I would like to get some of that Gyro tonality back".
I certainly understand as I use a Michell Orbe. However as I mentioned above, those hard surface platters do need a clamp to stop the record slipping. In regard to tonality this will also alter somewhat according to how tighly the clamp is screwed down. Quite lightly is my recipe as the viny will otherwise not only be flattened but stressed.
Good luck in your search. I see that the Funk Achromat is mentioned in this thread and I have heard good reports of that. But, as always, YMMV.
Opus 33 1/3
Thanks for posting that link - I like the range of thicknesses that he provides and the prices seem very reasonable.
Regards Anthony
"Beauty is Truth, Truth Beauty.." Keats
With a Herbies Way Excellent II mat. On each turntable the Herbies mat improved the sound quality.
If I were in the market for a turntable mat I would not hesitate for a second. I would buy another Herbies Way Excellent II.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Fool's errand IMO.
Opus 33 1/3
Hi,
Just wondering: Finding an alternative mat is a fool's errand? Or is the problem the 1200? Thanks,
JB Coleman
In my slight understanding , gathered from reading about this design over many decades, the weak link is the platter bearing.
So while other areas can be addressed, the strict hi fi guy would upgrade only the weak link first. He would consider all off target fixes just that. Because as you add fixes, the sound changes, then when the underlying problem is corrected, the other needed "improvements" won't have the same sound, or even benefit , in the new system
I had a French sorbathane like mat for my direct drive, it even came wit a frequency response curve on the back of the box, explaining the whole thing., if I knew french. I liked the sound., and transfered it to my upgrade table when that happened. But only for a while, the new table worked best in stock form. Makes sense, the product was built to succeed, and they have access to all the platter materials under the sun. The question then changes into price point for the design.
I use the Funk Achromat which works great. The Herbies mat is good too. Make sure you get a mat made for the Technics 1200 as it needs to fit within the lip on the platter.
I don't think the glass platter is made for the Technics.
I would opt for the vinyl matt myself, I think the glass matt would make the sound to bright. I know where you are coming from thou. I had a 1200 once and it did sound rather dull with the stock rubber matt. You should also consider what cartridge you will be using. A low compliance cart. will sound even brighter...
No experience with that "glass platter" but I picked up a clear "vinyl platter" a few years ago that works well for me. Directly beneath it is a felt mat. The label area is recessed to allow maximum contact of the LP to the vinyl mat. I know some say a rubber mat is best for this table but I'm good with my solution.
Good luck with your solution!
Still spinnin'...;^)
Edits: 08/04/17
That looks really cool! Is it a vinyl mat or an acrylic? I'm a little leery of acrylic, from my experience with a VPI Scoutmaster years ago (I wasn't a big fan of it), but I'd be a lot more interested in a clear vinyl one. Thanks,
JB Coleman
It is an acrylic mat. The posting is below. It beats the silicone mat I had been using. So far I have no complaints.
Still spinnin'...
;^)
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: