Do I need a record mat?

You MUST EXPERIMENT. With one of the large tables (thick Acrylic platter), a Herbie Mat with a Carbon Fibre mat on top and then another Herbie mat (that's 3 total!!!!!) made a hell of a difference. Adjust VTA as you add. I think you can try the Herbie & send back? Good Luck.

News Alert: Acrylic platters are now obsolete. They have been replaced by alumimum, VPI says. Harry finally listened to the customers. Bare acrylic can be improved with some of the better mats. Best to try different types, all should improve the sound over bare acrylic.

Thanks everyone. I got what I was looking for and then some more.

It never hurts to experiment if you have the time.

Statements such as "No, acrylic platters do not need a mat" are absolutes and generally need to be ignored as they’re born out of inexperience.

Whether or not a mat will be beneficial is a factor of other considerations. Among them, the turntable itself, tonearm, cartridge, existing isolation/vibration control, and your personal listening preferences.

Also ignore "News Alert: Acrylic platters are now obsolete". That's just plain stupid.

Good luck.

You do not need a mat, but you need a clamp! I speak from experience - I have acrylic mat on aluminium platter.
A.