Dgob,
IMO, the Mambo material has something to do with it. I know that the aluminum used for the platter is different than the aluminum used for the plinth. My understanding is that the aluminum at the base is "softer" than the one on the platter, so it can handle better vibrations coming from the shelf where it sits on. Also, the use of the brass inserts (silencers) in the platter may be affecting its resonance frequency for the better. This may explain why the difference between different clamps/stabilizers is not as pronounced as the differences between mats. The mat material, in the case of the Mambo design, should mostly interface with the record/stylus relation.
I haven't been able to acquire the Audio Technica AT-666, nor the Jeweltone Crystal stabilizer. I actively tried to find the AT-666 about a year ago without success.
I also use concert halls and live music (mostly classical) as a reference, and not other audio systems so much. Over the years, I've been lucky enough to listened to many cost-no-object systems. Some of them were close to real music in a good acoustic space, but most miss to render the pitch and texture that real performances provide.
I also have the Dr. Feickert's protractor, Geodisc and Turntable Basics alignment tool. With the Dr. Feickert's protractor, the metal piece fits loosely on the spindle of the Mambo, but some electrical tape folded on four points in the hole solved this issue. The Mint Tractor is much more accurate since it is built for each turntable/tonearm combination and it takes the diameter of the spindle into account. The only drawback is that it probably cannot be used on a different turntable/tonearm combination. One will need a 10x loupe for the set up since the arc line is very thin and it's practically impossible to get the tip of the stylus on the line with just normal vision.
I find that a 25lb platter produces a more stable speed and sound when it's completely leveled. One has to imagine how stable of a speed a 25lb rotating mass can produce if it is leaning just a bit in one direction. The Pro 3600 Digital Protractor is really great at leveling anything. I use the 45 RPM adapter that came with the Avid bubble level on the spindle and then the Pro 3600 on top of it. According to the Pro 3600 documentation, it uses a liquid-filled angle sensor. As the liquid moves, a microprocessor then analyzes the changes and calculates the angle. The speed of the Mambo is spot on when it is leveled with this tool. The sound is then very articulate, taut and clean. Timing and pitch of the musical notes sound spot on, at least to my ears.
I have about 7 or 8 different bubble levels. When I set them up on the same surface, and in close proximity to one another, each one has a different reading of the angle of the surface. This puzzled me for a while until I asked a colleague of mine about it. He then suggested the Pro 3600, or one with the same precision, if I wanted to level any precision instrument that needs to be absolutely flat in order to perform at its best. Since I consider a turntable like the AS Mambo a precision instrument, it was very easy to make the decision to get one.
Best,
iSanchez
Fantastic. The testing of mats is a rewarding pastime when you notice the differences they offer. I remember my time with several of those illustriate mats. I do wonder though (technically naively) if the aluminium stabilizer (as opposed to gunmetal, cork/natural fabrics, alloys or steel)has that something extra due to its and the Mambo's material and sound propogation obviously being matched in speed and density. At least that seems to partially explain what I get when it comes to producing a vivid and vital performance with the Mat1/AS Grip - and hopefully more so with the Mat1/Bren1 (just sounds right!:~). Fingers crossed!
IMO, the Mambo material has something to do with it. I know that the aluminum used for the platter is different than the aluminum used for the plinth. My understanding is that the aluminum at the base is "softer" than the one on the platter, so it can handle better vibrations coming from the shelf where it sits on. Also, the use of the brass inserts (silencers) in the platter may be affecting its resonance frequency for the better. This may explain why the difference between different clamps/stabilizers is not as pronounced as the differences between mats. The mat material, in the case of the Mambo design, should mostly interface with the record/stylus relation.
I haven't been able to acquire the Audio Technica AT-666, nor the Jeweltone Crystal stabilizer. I actively tried to find the AT-666 about a year ago without success.
I also use concert halls and live music (mostly classical) as a reference, and not other audio systems so much. Over the years, I've been lucky enough to listened to many cost-no-object systems. Some of them were close to real music in a good acoustic space, but most miss to render the pitch and texture that real performances provide.
I also have the Dr. Feickert's protractor, Geodisc and Turntable Basics alignment tool. With the Dr. Feickert's protractor, the metal piece fits loosely on the spindle of the Mambo, but some electrical tape folded on four points in the hole solved this issue. The Mint Tractor is much more accurate since it is built for each turntable/tonearm combination and it takes the diameter of the spindle into account. The only drawback is that it probably cannot be used on a different turntable/tonearm combination. One will need a 10x loupe for the set up since the arc line is very thin and it's practically impossible to get the tip of the stylus on the line with just normal vision.
I find that a 25lb platter produces a more stable speed and sound when it's completely leveled. One has to imagine how stable of a speed a 25lb rotating mass can produce if it is leaning just a bit in one direction. The Pro 3600 Digital Protractor is really great at leveling anything. I use the 45 RPM adapter that came with the Avid bubble level on the spindle and then the Pro 3600 on top of it. According to the Pro 3600 documentation, it uses a liquid-filled angle sensor. As the liquid moves, a microprocessor then analyzes the changes and calculates the angle. The speed of the Mambo is spot on when it is leveled with this tool. The sound is then very articulate, taut and clean. Timing and pitch of the musical notes sound spot on, at least to my ears.
I have about 7 or 8 different bubble levels. When I set them up on the same surface, and in close proximity to one another, each one has a different reading of the angle of the surface. This puzzled me for a while until I asked a colleague of mine about it. He then suggested the Pro 3600, or one with the same precision, if I wanted to level any precision instrument that needs to be absolutely flat in order to perform at its best. Since I consider a turntable like the AS Mambo a precision instrument, it was very easy to make the decision to get one.
Best,
iSanchez