The turntable/record slip mat thread

[mrrom92]

Interesting to see and hear what others have been using as a mat around here.

For the past few years, I've been using a DJ slipmat, not for it's quality or anything, but I thought the design was funny. It's miles better than a felt or neoprene mat, so that's always a plus. It's still felt but it's a very stiff and dense felt, not the floppy kind you usually see on turntables. It's made to look like the screen of an iPhone with "apps"(although circa iOS 2.0) and it glows in the dark as well. Pretty sophisticated looking stuff in a hi-fi setup!

I'm kinda bored of it and would like a step up that will look nice over the years. A timeless look that I can keep in my system for life and be proud to display while also offering a good upgrade to my system.

When the mooo-mat was first offered a while back, I looked into it. It's basically made of cowhide. I liked its funky look, and it's ability to piss off vegans, but I had concerns with the practicality of using a hairy mat. It seems as if some of my fears were confirmed when I read reports that the mat had varying thickness and records did not lay flat on it. Exactly how I had imagined. I never ordered it. A turntable should be a precision instrument, and a hairy mat just seems like it would be introducing all sorts of variables during playback, not to mention it doesn't seem like the best thing to lay records on I would think.

I came across this page around the same time, for the Dulcet Tone leather mat, which is sold by William, or "DJ Hokum", through his etsy and eBay page. This looks a little more practical and proper for use on a turntable. It also looks absolutely gorgeous. I placed an order last night and can't wait to receive it. I'll surely share my thoughts on it once it arrives. I was hoping some of you would chime in as well, if anyone else here does have one. He makes them out of leather which is then stitched to a felt backing. The mat has a symmetrical triangular pattern of holes drilled into it, which prevents suction between the disc and mat, and I would imagine also allows any vibrational energy to dissipate. There is also a laser etched logo, although I requested that mine be made without that, as I have many colored LP's and I figured it may be more aesthetically pleasing if it had an entirely symmetrical pattern. Many of you may have colored LPs and may want to request this as well. In any case, I can't wait to get mine and see how it performs. I highly suggest checking out the mat on either eBay or etsy as it looks to be a very promising product.

[slinch]

I you want only the best for your table and a real sonic upgrade, this is the mat for you: http://www.boston-audio.com/mat1.html

 

 

If you want something simpler, but still a step up, any acrylic mat will do:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-WHITE-Acrylic-Perspex-Turntable-Mat-Rega-Linn-Avid-Pro-Ject-VPI-Music-Hall-/400439116943?pt=US_Record_Player_Turntable_Parts&hash=item5d3c08048f

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ISOkinetik-ISOMAT-1-ACRYLIC-TURNTABLE-MAT-FOR-REGA-LINN-/181107697351?pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a2adc26c7

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ISOkinetik-ISOMAT-1-ACRYLIC-TURNTABLE-MAT-FOR-REGA-LINN-/171011833498?pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27d1197e9a

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CLEAR-Acrylic-Perspex-Turntable-Mat-Rega-Linn-Avid-Pro-Ject-VPI-Music-Hall-/400439158319?pt=US_Record_Player_Turntable_Parts&hash=item5d3c08a62f

 

Everything else is pretty much just for show.

[jtcohenour]

I have a very similar mat that I picked up a while back.

[mrrom92]

I you want only the best for your table and a real sonic upgrade, this is the mat for you: http://www.boston-audio.com/mat1.html

If you want something simpler, but still a step up, any acrylic mat will do:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-WHITE-Acrylic-Perspex-Turntable-Mat-Rega-Linn-Avid-Pro-Ject-VPI-Music-Hall-/400439116943?pt=US_Record_Player_Turntable_Parts&hash=item5d3c08048f

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ISOkinetik-ISOMAT-1-ACRYLIC-TURNTABLE-MAT-FOR-REGA-LINN-/181107697351?pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a2adc26c7

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ISOkinetik-ISOMAT-1-ACRYLIC-TURNTABLE-MAT-FOR-REGA-LINN-/171011833498?pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27d1197e9a

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CLEAR-Acrylic-Perspex-Turntable-Mat-Rega-Linn-Avid-Pro-Ject-VPI-Music-Hall-/400439158319?pt=US_Record_Player_Turntable_Parts&hash=item5d3c08a62f

Everything else is pretty much just for show.

I don't know if I would necessarily agree with that. There are definitely different performance qualities inherent in the use of different materials and designs. One really can't say if there is an absolute "best", more really what works best for their own system and what they're trying to achieve. Some people would rather decouple a disc from the platter than to couple it, etc. all different ways to approach this sorta thing, I think any high end mat regardless of material or design would be a step up from any stock mat, whether it is purchased mainly for looks or not.