turntable platter mat

Polk65

I'm searching for a platter mat to replace my original which is now hard and cracked with no available replacement. After reading some forums I see there are some $100+ carbon graphite mats. On the low end some suggest shelf liner material but further reading reveals that it leaves residue on vinyl.

Any suggestions of where to buy either a finished product or the raw material to make my own for around $50 or less?

BlueMDPicker

I've bought several things from these folks:

http://www.sleevetown.com/turntable-mat.shtml

A bit pricier:

http://www.extremephono.com/Mat.htm

reeltrouble1

I have the Ringmat Developments mat works well but is in the 100 buck range.

RT1

Toka78

I like Herbie's products...mats starting at $50:

http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/ttmat.htm

cmy330go

I personally use the original Extreme Phono None Felt mat which you can read about at the second link that BlueMD posted. I purchased it from Music Direct in Chicago. It was only around $30. I actually went in looking for a Ring Mat and the guy there recommended this one over the Ring Mat.

I have been quite happy with it and must admit that it made a bigger difference than I expected.

EDIT: Link to Mat at Music Direct.

Polk65

The turntable I removed from storage has not been used in a decade. The original platter mat had dried up, cracked and oozed oil from itself onto the platter. Lucky for me it was easy to clean up with no apparent leaking into the guts.

So I'm interested in listening to vinyl again and have no platter mat.

Option 1 - order a replacement from the manufacturer ( discontinued ).
Option 2 - order and wait for an esoteric mat.
Option 3 - order and wait for a mid-priced mat.
Option 4 - use the right combination of words and google it ( DIY "platter mat" ).
http://www.theanalogdept.com/platter_mats.htm

I found a solution that works for my particular needs. To give vinyl a listen again but not spend much coin at the get-go. I'm going to stress that this is not for everyone because adjustments most likely will have to be made. http://www.theanalogdept.com/tonearm_alignment.htm

I worked in my kitchen at the stove with the removable side panel from my computer case as a flat working surface. Flipped the stove fan and light switches on. The cork material comes in a roll 12" x 36" from automotive stores. After cutting a useful size, I placed the old platter mat over it as a template then started cutting. There was some curling due to being packaged in a roll. I grabbed the iron and a piece of thick paper. It took about 15 minutes to flatten out.

For the center hole I used a sharp utility blade. My turntable has a ringed metal groove around the spindle so I had to cut a groove for the bottom of the mat. It fits but could be better.

Next to do was the spots and a quarter seemed a decent size. While gluing I used the glue cap as a spotter to quickly locate where to lay the next one. It was a bit chilly tonight so I used the iron and piece of paper momentarily over each spot to warm the glue.

Next I placed a piece of cardboard over the spotted mat with a stack of newspapers. I cleaned up and checked it an hour later. I was relieved to find it nice and flat.

I placed it on the turntable. My first thought... WOW. Even at low volume I can hear and feel the mid-range punch that I've been missing. Records are good.

As theanalogdept points out, it may be worth the time experimenting with various materials for different sonic results.

Final thoughts... where's the remote? Seriously though, I'm going to read further about carbon graphite platter mats, better turntables and vinyl cleaning machines. Then one day (maybe sooner) I may get a carbon graphite platter mat.


Pictures:

01 - I cleaned up and used the old platter mat as a template. This will be the bottom side.

02 - The new mat is the same circumference as the old.

03 - The turntable has a spindle groove which I made an attempt to provide.

04 - Seeing spots.

05 - Nearly complete with glued spots.

06 - Ready. The combined height of the cork spots and platter mat are equal to the height of my original rubber mat. No adjustments were necessary here, but your turntable might. http://www.theanalogdept.com/tonearm_alignment.htm

07 - Supplies (plus an iron).


Work time: about an hour to prep and make plus another hour for the glue to set.

Total cost: $5 for a roll of cork gasket material of which I can make two more.

Johncan

I 2nd the Extreme Phono None Felt. I really like mine. Some people have complained that it leaves residue on their vinyl. I washed mine when I first got it with soap and water and I have never had any problems with residue.

John

Dennis Gardner

Nice job seeking out the DIY option........I find alot of tweaks to turntables outside the commercial offerings are better sounding and more personally fulfilling.

hearingimpared

Nice job. IMHO I think even the most inexpensive turntables benefit greatly in sonic reproduction with a record clamp.

I have found that a thick dished delrin or acrylic platter with a "reflex" clamp works best. These clamps usually employ a shim under the record and with the downward force created by the clamp couples the record firmly to the platter (with really well designed clamps a vacuum is formed) and takes out the warps as well as drains vibrations into the platter. Well designed clamps drains the stylus energy & vibrations through the clamp down into the spindle where they die out harmlessly.