futures Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 This is my first post in this section and I'm really intimidated. I tried searching around and wasn't finding the answers to my questions in any of the other slipmat-related threads. I know next to nothing about audio equipment. My dad taught me how to set up a turntable when I was 16 and that is pretty much the extent of my knowledge. So, I have a Denon DP-300F turntable. Two Christmases ago I upgraded my cart from the stock one to a Black Pearl and had a guy at a stereo shop install it and make sure the tonearm was set up properly. I have the stock slipmat on my TT still: It's like this rubbery jawn and it collects a lot of dust and it's static-y. Basically, I want to replace it with something else. (Cork? Acrylic?) I don't know how thick the stock mat is and I want to be able to find something that is the same thickness so I don't have to try to tweak the tonearm at all. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCandless Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 I don't have any answers for you, I'm posting here just to remind myself to keep an eye on this thread. I also have a very similar stock one that came with my tt and want to replace it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 you need to measure the stock one's thickness if you don't know it but it will probably be 3mm at a guess. As long as the new one is somewhere around + or - 1mm of the original you should be about fine. Cork and Acrylic are good choices but my preference is always acrylic. There were some white acrylic ones floating around on ebay that had a cartridge protractor on one side and a speed strobe on the other which were quite cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satan Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 At first glance, I thought this said Slipknot instead of slipmat. hunterwasser, Princess Logan and mitch. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futures Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share Posted September 23, 2014 you need to measure the stock one's thickness if you don't know it but it will probably be 3mm at a guess. As long as the new one is somewhere around + or - 1mm of the original you should be about fine. Cork and Acrylic are good choices but my preference is always acrylic. There were some white acrylic ones floating around on ebay that had a cartridge protractor on one side and a speed strobe on the other which were quite cheap. Thanks for the reply! I'll see if I can find a ruler laying around my apartment to measure it. It's good to know that if I'm -/+ by 1mm it shouldn't require any adjustment. I'm interested in the acrylic, but I have no idea what a cartridge protractor and speed strobe is. =\ I will have to Google it. At first glance, I thought this said Slipknot instead of slipmat. I kept saying slipknot in my head when I was typing it lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 I'm interested in the acrylic, but I have no idea what a cartridge protractor and speed strobe is. =\ I will have to Google it. Very useful things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futures Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share Posted September 23, 2014 Very useful things I just looked it up and I agree with you! I am now totally interested in this acrylic slipmat (is that what you would call it?) Do you have any idea where I should start to look for one? I know you mentioned eBay, but I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for exactly as far as what it looks like, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 I've seen them on ebay and one of the turntable specialists but they were quite expensive there so I just moved on with that one. Just search acrylic platter mat or acrylic turntable mat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futures Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share Posted September 23, 2014 Awesome, thank you so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smailtronic Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 I made my own using a fine microgrit sandpaper. It's nearly smooth, and perfectly cushions the record in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futures Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share Posted September 23, 2014 I would be so afraid of scratching the record! Anything that goes by sandpaper would make me nervous lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futures Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share Posted September 23, 2014 This seems to be what I'm looking for, yes? http://www.amazon.com/Turntable-Cartridge-Alignment-Protractor-Stroboscope/dp/B00E3UZ5BW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 That's the one but I'm sure they were cheaper on ebay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futures Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share Posted September 23, 2014 Great thanks. I'll check there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 You can get calipers to measure the thickness. But it should be google-able. Or call Denon. But I always trust myself measuring more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal Mike Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 FWIW, I have one of Herbie's Way Excellent mats and I love it. http://herbiesaudiolab.net/ttmat.htm I realize it's no acrylic, but just throwing it out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabpower Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Keep us posted if you find something worth sharing. I've had the same TT for a couple of years and always refused to use a felt slipmat (they feel like dust magnets) but this acrylic one could be interesting. I kinda like the original rubber mat though, I just have to clean it one in a while with alcohol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futures Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share Posted September 23, 2014 You can get calipers to measure the thickness. But it should be google-able. Or call Denon. But I always trust myself measuring more. I just measured it.. it's 4.5mm. Seems too thick to replace with that acrylic one. =\ FWIW, I have one of Herbie's Way Excellent mats and I love it. http://herbiesaudiolab.net/ttmat.htm I realize it's no acrylic, but just throwing it out there. That looks pretty nice! I'm going to read up on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 yes 4.5mm is quite thick. you can get 5mm acrylic ones plus other materials but it might be difficult Over here in the UK I found people that will machine acrylic to whatever I want and they were not that expensive. I found them on ebay and can't remember what search I used but they are people that make acrylic cake stands, brochure stands and that sort of thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCandless Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 yes 4.5mm is quite thick. you can get 5mm acrylic ones plus other materials but it might be difficult Over here in the UK I found people that will machine acrylic to whatever I want and they were not that expensive. I found them on ebay and can't remember what search I used but they are people that make acrylic cake stands, brochure stands and that sort of thing. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Analogue-Studio-Perspex-Clear-Acrylic-Turntable-Mat-/231258479912?pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35d8145d28 I have a Dual CS-505 and was looking at this, just can't work out if it's like a one acrylic slipmat fits all. Should this be ok just to replace with my standard stock one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_stretts Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 I've been eyeing off this clear acrylic mat of late - would look pretty awesome on my regas glass platter, accentuating the transparent color records I have http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-CLEAR-Acrylic-Perspex-Turntable-Mat-Rega-Linn-Avid-Pro-Ject-VPI-Music-Hall-/400439158319 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 With anything with a glass platter I would say you are better saving for an acrylic platter to replace it. I've done it on a few, Rega's and Systemdeks etc and it's always been worth it. _stretts 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillhole Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Started with a felt one and didn't like the static. Moved to a homemade cork one and it was too thin to get proper vta and I didn't want to layer it. Then picked up a 1/4 inch rubber OEM technics mat for a 1200, which I own, and I've been using that ever since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_stretts Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 With anything with a glass platter I would say you are better saving for an acrylic platter to replace it. I've done it on a few, Rega's and Systemdeks etc and it's always been worth it. Thanks for the advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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