TT Mats

Toolfan66
Toolfan66 Posts: 17,259
edited February 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
I want to upgrade my mat, looking for feedback, and best place to buy.
I would also like to get a steamer to clean my vinyl with as well.

Thanks,

Larry.
Post edited by Toolfan66 on
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Comments

  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited February 2010
    Try Herbies. I haven't done it yet, but Polkies seem to like them.
    Ben

    BTW I don't know if I spelt Heries correct.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,259
    edited February 2010
    I was just looking at their site, I would think the Way Excellent II-3.7mm would work just fine. But is a carbon fiber mat better then rubber?
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited February 2010
    Larry,

    Both the Herbie's mat and carbon fiber mats are very good choices and the suggestion put forth by Mike about getting a good reflex clamp is a must. If you buy the Clearaudio Twister Clamp, you being a machinist I would make three different thickness delrin shims to place under the record. For more details on the shims, PM me.

    http://herbiesaudiolab.net/ttmat.htm

    http://www.google.com/search?q=+carbon+fiber+record+mat&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1

    http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/36249/Clearaudio-Twister_Clamp-Record_Mats_and_Clamps

    http://www.needledoctor.com/Clearaudio-Twister?sc=2&category=421

    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CLTWICL

    Be very careful when purchasing a steamer. Make absolutely sure it is not a refurb. I made the mistake of not checking to see if the one I purchased was a refub and it is a disaster. It spits water all over the place and now I can't even get the top off of it. It is now an ugly paperweight.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2010
    Larry,

    How are you liking the SL1210/DL160 combo? The vinyl bug has been biting me pretty hard lately, so I'm starting to look at new TT's. The 1210/160 combo is one of the options I've been considering.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,259
    edited February 2010
    Keiko wrote: »
    Larry, I'm using the Herbie's Way Excellent mat on my 1210 and have been super pleased with it. Combine it with a good reflex clamp and enjoy.

    Mike,

    Is this the one you got? (Way Excellent II-3.7mm) it's the one I am looking at.

    Thanks.

    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Larry,

    Both the Herbie's mat and carbon fiber mats are very good choices and the suggestion put forth by Mike about getting a good reflex clamp is a must. If you buy the Clearaudio Twister Clamp, you being a machinist I would make three different thickness delrin shims to place under the record. For more details on the shims, PM me.

    Be very careful when purchasing a steamer. Make absolutely sure it is not a refurb. I made the mistake of not checking to see if the one I purchased was a refub and it is a disaster. It spits water all over the place and now I can't even get the top off of it. It is now an ugly paperweight.

    Thanks for the links, I will PM you on the shims. do I really need the steamer if I get the VPI 16.5?
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    Larry,

    How are you liking the SL1210/DL160 combo? The vinyl bug has been biting me pretty hard lately, so I'm starting to look at new TT's. The 1210/160 combo is one of the options I've been considering.

    I love it!!! I would say about all 75% of music I buy is on Vinyl, used and new. It took a little time getting the Jolida JD-9 phono pre tweeked in, rolliing tubes adjusting the switches to the DL-160, but it's all magic now.

    My advice is be patient when getting into vinyl the payoff is fantastic, to me it's like fine tuning a car but thats what makes it a hobby right?

    Larry.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited February 2010
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

    Thanks for the links, I will PM you on the shims. do I really need the steamer if I get the VPI 16.5?

    Everyone I know who owns one loves it and would probably say yes. I don't use it anymore and have found my four step prep process used once on each LP then just a spin with VPI cleaning fluid before each play does a fine job. I get pristene records after I do it.
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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited February 2010
    I am another member who is running a SL-1200 MK2/DL-160 combo and absolutely love it! I picked up my SL-1200 for $150 used. I've also added an LP Gear billet aluminum headshell with the LP gear gold headshell lead wires, KAB USA's new record clamp for the SL-1200, Herbies Way Excellent 3.7mm mat, KAB USA isolation dome isolation feet, the phono cable from the SL-1200MK5 (gold plated RCA plugs instead of the standard MK2's nickle plated RCA Plugs), and KAB USA's tonearm fluid dampener for the 1200. I am using a Parasound P/FET 900 as my phono pre. I have about $700 to $800 tied up in everything mentioned above.

    I couldn't be happier with the setup. It sounds awesome! I've heard turntable set-ups that cost 4 to 5 times or more than mine and IMHO, I'm not giving anything up to the more expensive setups other than prestiege and wow factor. In the future I am going to add a Jolida JD-9 phono pre, a Grado Reference Platinum Cartridge, and one of KAB USAs slip-on cherry wood bases for the 1200 and I'll be done with it.

    I kind of got off topic here. The Herbies Way Excellent 3.7 mm (285mm diameter) mat works great on my 1200. I couldn't be happier!

    Steve
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