Turntable mats


What in your opinion is the best mat? I have the magical mat and I feel it does it's job; however, it leaves a "sticky" like pattern on the album. How are the Funk mats? AQ? Are they worth the difference?

Thanks
pablo16
In my experience that depends a lot on the actually turntable platter...all mats, clamps/weights,alter the sound to a degree...I have been mainly using the Goldmund mat and the Goldmund clamp,they appear,to my old ears,be adding or subtracting less than the others I have...it is a bit of a trial and error...the Boston Audio mat is also very good...I am getting some copper,bronze and maybe some stainless mats made,which should be better on direct drives ... in general I like carbon fibre,the BRD cones for instance are one of my favourite's,but did not like the carbon mat I tried,that is why I have a collection of platter mats...IMO there is always one who works better on this turntable ,but not so well on another...hope this helps a bit...Enjoy the music ...
It definitely depends on your platter, and even on your drive system, because different platters and drive systems resonate at different frequencies, and different mats are going to suppress different frequencies better than others.

A machined aluminum platter (a la Technics SL12x0 series) is going to ring differently than a glass, acrylic, or MDF platter. I have a Technics, and to my surprise, found that the thin, slippery felt DJ mat actually kills more ring than the standard rubber one. So I have both of them on, with the felt directly against the aluminum.

Also, the motor noise level and pitch is going to vary according to motor speed, tolerances, and how successfully it's isolated.
I have owned quite a few mats out there. My favourite is the Harmonix TU-800EXi. This mat sounds fantastic and miles ahead of the Boston Mat1 which is by itself very good. Right now, my magical combination is the Harmonix on top of a Micro Seiki gunmetal mat.
You definitely will have to experiment. I will say that on my Garrard 301, I really like Herbie's Grungebuster mat.