Turntable Mats for Technics Grand Class, "G" Series

@mofimadness @lewm @wrm57 Thanks for replying. I ordered the BAM and the SPEC+ mat…should be an interesting comparison.

What about me?

@mofimadness @lewm @wrm57 Thanks for replying. I ordered the BAM and the SPEC+ mat…should be an interesting comparison.

My TT doesn't have a mat, never used a mat, am I really missing something?

For users of the Boston Audio/Sakura graphite mat: no concerns about/experience with the mat scratching your records?

I used a Sakura for years on an SP10R with no scratches. Not something to worry about. I recently replaced it with an Origin Live Strata mat. Coupled with the OL Gravity One stabilizer, it is the best I’ve tried out of around a dozen.

Ditto to what mofi said about graphite mats. You’d have to make a deliberate effort by squeezing the mat and LP together and then twisting one against the other, clockwise then counter clockwise in order to do any such damage, if even then, the surface of the graphite is quite smooth. So smooth that you may want to use a weight or clamp to prevent the LP from slipping due to stylus drag.

So I was just curious why you stipulate that the mat needs to be glued to the platter.

@lewm That is specifically in the case of the Oracle mat which is designed to be used in that manner. 

I have a mat at home that is the same kind that SOTA used on their early Cosmos turntables; it was sold as an item by itself prior to SOTA acquiring the rights to it. It does not have to be glued down.

Can somebody buy the Luxman mat mentioned above and report back? LOL

@oceanandmountains...I have (2) Boston Mats that I bought when they first came out many moons ago.  They have had hundreds and hundreds of LPs on them and never ever have I encountered any scratches or marring or anything abnormal...

For users of the Boston Audio/Sakura graphite mat: no concerns about/experience with the mat scratching your records? 

I use the Funk Firm Achromat on my 1200G with great success. I haven't glued it.

“….Denon DP80 mat is superior to the Technics mats?"

technics mats have less contact area to the vinyl record surface comparing to dp80. also technics mat's pattern does not work well with additional weight.. also, rubber itself seems is a bit finer in dp80 mat.. 

I'm done taping and gluing down mats.  I did that with the Funk Firm product. Never again. 

I don't disagree with anything you wrote about the desired function of a mat, but my question was why does the mat have to be glued to the platter?  The glue itself forms a boundary between the mat and the platter, which may or may not reflect energy back into the mat. Further, if as you suggest, the mat is damping the platter, that is all the more reason for not having any physical boundary, like glue, between the two. So I was just curious why you stipulate that the mat needs to be glued to the platter.

Why does the mat have to be glued to the platter? Seems to me you’re better off with nothing between mat and platter, for best energy transfer.

@lewm It depends on the platter pad to some extent. But the pad, if its doing its job properly, is damping the platter as well as the LP.

To do that it must be the same hardness (durometer) as the LP, and then have damping properties so all the energy coming from the LP as its being played is absorbed with none reflected back.

I would like to try the Luxman mat but it’s a lot of money if I do not like it. 

I own or have owned a DP80 and Technics SP10 Mk2, 2a, and 3. What do you find to be so different among the rubber mats supplied with those TTs that would lead you to conclude that the Denon DP80 mat is superior to the Technics mats? I didn't hear much difference among them and replaced all of the OEM rubber mats, ultimately.  What the DP80 does have is that platter that is split so as to isolate bearing noise.  I do think the DP80 outperforms the SP10 Mk2 and 2a, but not the Mk3. A properly functioning DP80 is tremendous bang for buck even compared to any modern TT up to around $5K or maybe even more cost, IMO.

Too bad Technics lost their mojo on mats for high-end TTs! Currently I use Denon DP-80 mat (NOS) on my SL1200GAE.. second to it is SFTG172-01 / RGS0010, original Technics. 

Why does the mat have to be glued to the platter? Seems to me you’re better off with nothing between mat and platter, for best energy transfer. If the mat slips in the absence of glue, I’d consider a record clamp or weight to push the mat down from above. In fact the graphite mats do potentially slip if the platter surface is slick, and I use a clamp.

@stereo5 @pryso  There are three screws that affix the platter to the motor. If you apply the mat with them in place you'd have to do surgery should you ever want to remove the platter for shipping. So those screws would have to be removed first.

@atmasphere, such a "permanent" attachment would make it very difficult to ever remove the platter if needed. That seems risky to me but guess that is personal.

I have a heavy, thick rubber mat from a SP-10 Mk 2 I need to dig out and try on my SL1200 G.

@atmasphere, I questioned the Oracle dealer I purchased it from, they said they don’t recommend sticking it to the platter, so I did not. Who knew?  I wish I had the kahunas to stick it down.  I do love my HRS lightweight record weight though.  I should have asked you🙁

The Oracle hard mat was recommended to me for my Technics SL1200G. I tried it but wasn’t really satisfied.

@stereo5 The Oracle needs to be bonded to the platter for it to do its job. You didn't do that since you were able to 'go back' (you would have had to chisel the Oracle off, since it has a pretty effective permanent sticky back) so you really didn't hear what this pad is about.

Dear @jbhiller: Try to find out the original Sota Mat, it's the best ever Mat for any TT and you can mate it with the Basis Audio reflex Clamp. You just can't do better.

Ragrds and ENJOY THE MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

I was reading a post or review where it was said that Luxman sells quite a few TT mats to non Luxman TT owners. I was surprised

https://www.hawthornestereo.com/luxman-pd-171a-turntable-mat.html

Another vote for the BAM for my GAE. After trying 4 other mats. I liked it so much, I purchased another one recently for my modded 1200.

Three of my 5 turntables sport a Boston Audio Mat, either the 2mm or the 3mm version.  I use the SAEC SS300, on my Victor TT101. I realize there are some theoretical reasons not to use a solid metal mat, but I have been happy with the SAEC, nevertheless.  On my Kenwood L07D, I use a solid copper copy of the original stainless steel "platter sheet", which is Kenwood's term for what the rest of us would call its platter mat. In this case, the copper replacement mat sounds better than the OEM stainless steel one, I am guessing because copper is a better EMI shield than stainless; the L07D is quieter and more mellow with the copper mat.  I had the copper mat custom made for me in the US to match the shape and weight of the original. Apparently, Kenwood did not see a problem using a solid metal mat on their finest turntable.

+1...on the Boston Audio Mat, but I like my Funk Firm Achromat a little better.

The Oracle hard mat was recommended to me for my Technics SL1200G. I tried it but wasn’t really satisfied.  I’m back to the original rubber mat.  I no longer worry about such things. 

Thank you guys for all the insight!  

I like the OEM heavy rubber platter mat that came on my JVC Victor TT81. Seems appropriately firm to provide stability without transmission. I use a center weight, sadly peripheral ring type weight I tried won’t work on this platter’s edge.

I was reading an old thread about cartridges yesterday, and I came across Chakster saying the ONLY platter mat he was using at that time, on all his TT’s was

Saec SS-300 alloy mat

I made a note to check it out, I see there was an SS-300MK2

Any comments about it from others ..........................?

I also have a GAE bought when they were introduced and like you have replaced the OEM mat.  In my case: leather, acrylic, Herbies, Origin Live (favored for years) and recently the new Origin Live Strata.  The Strata is magic.  Really.  Expensive (295 pounds sterling), but worth it and it has a return privilege if you are not satisfied.  One word of caution, Origin sells the Stata in a slightly smaller diameter version specifically for all SL1200 turntables.  Since I also bought a Strata for my HW40 in the standard size, I tried both sizes and much prefer the standard size mat.  The smaller mat just looks funny to me on the GAE.  Same price, same sound, just an aesthetic thing.

I also use Boston Audio graphite mat on my SP10 MkII, I purchased mine from Sakura.

I've got a 1200G and I use a Stein Music 'The Perfect Interface' Pi mat. It's the only mat I've ever used on it, and it sounds excellent. Might have sounded just as excellent with something less expensive, but I'm happy. 

I like Boston Audio graphite mat on my SP10 mk3. BA don’t make it any more but someone else does. Sakura????