Turntable Mats for Technics Grand Class, "G" Series

I like Boston Audio graphite mat on my SP10 mk3. BA don’t make it any more but someone else does. 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 also use Boston Audio graphite mat on my SP10 MkII, I purchased mine from Sakura.

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 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 ..........................?

Thank you guys for all the insight!  

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. 

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

@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🙁

@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.

@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.

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.

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.