Ok. I ordered the Hudson Valley acrylic mat and the Herbie’s Way Excellent II mat. The Hudson mat has the small depression to the label. But it extends all the way to the record edge and doesn’t allow for the extra thickness of the lead in edge. Plus to me, others will differ, there is not much science to this “mat”. It’s a sheet of acrylic.
As for the Herbie’s Way Excellent II mat. It is made of a very nice silicone that adheres to my VPI platter. It has the central depression for the record label and it does not extend all the way to the record edge thereby accommodating for the thicker record lead in edge. To me, there is more though behind this mat with more isolation and accommodation for your record to keep it flat. Together with my VPI signature clamp and Wayne’s outer ring, I know my vinyl is flat and isolated with the Herbie’s mat underneath. This one is a keeper.
The Hudson acrylic mat is being returned to Amazon tomorrow.
As for the Herbie’s Way Excellent II mat. It is made of a very nice silicone that adheres to my VPI platter. It has the central depression for the record label and it does not extend all the way to the record edge thereby accommodating for the thicker record lead in edge. To me, there is more though behind this mat with more isolation and accommodation for your record to keep it flat. Together with my VPI signature clamp and Wayne’s outer ring, I know my vinyl is flat and isolated with the Herbie’s mat underneath. This one is a keeper.
The Hudson acrylic mat is being returned to Amazon tomorrow.