2. analog
  3. 126170-7436

Best platter mat, especially for DD turntables

There has been quite a bit of posts about platter mats and I wanted to add my experiences. I have posted this on the vintage DD thread but have been requested to move this into a new discussion, so here it is.

For my Technics SP10mk3 (Krebs 2 mod), I have tried Boston Mat 1, Micro Seiki CU180 and the TTM Mat with Matching Oil filled clamp (http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649203862-ttm-mat-2-and-oil-damped-stabilizerweight-combo/). Among these 3 mats, the TTM was the best and after I introduced it to Albert Porter, he too thinks it's the best for the Sp10mk3. However, I have found an even better platter mat that I would like to share with the group. It's Acoustical Systems SDP (http://www.arche-headshell.de/accessoires/sdp-the-sonically-most-effective-upgrade-for-every-turntable/). SDP stands for Special Decoupled Platter. This is not just a mat but an additional platter that decouples and isolates the bearing and spindle from the stylus. While most mats offer some isolation and decoupling of the platter, this is the only mat I know that also decouples the spindle. It stands head and shoulders above all the other mats. In fact, for me, the improvement it brought to my SP10Mk3 was greater than the Kreb mods. It's expensive and requires the arm-boards to be raised but it's worth the trouble IMHO. Especially for DD turntables where you have  the motor directly connected to the spindle (in most designs though there a few that are decoupled), it makes sense to decouple not only the platter but the spindle from the LP. Hence, SDP probably makes more improvements for DD turntables than Belt drive turntables. 
Here is how the SDP is different from other mats. What is not obvious form the pictures is that the SDP mat is thicker than the original spindle height. Hence it sits over the original spindle completely and has its own precision spindle to guide the LP and clamp/s onto the SDP. In other words, the original spindle is buried inside the SDP. Underneath the SDP are soft vibration absorbing gel packs which interfaces between original platter and SDP. This allows the SDP to absorb vibrations from the original platter. The mass of the SDP also acts as a damper for any vibrations from the original spindle. 

The net effect is that the noise floor drops further and I can hear more detail, resolution, separation and space. Very startling improvements.  FWIW. 
ddriveman
halcro's avatar
halcro
2,664 posts
 
Since you are reporting a profound improvement, the original design is definitely not good. This is not fine tuning, basically it's an effort to quite radically change the design. Would be better to start with the drawing board instead of patching.

I think you are over-reacting Inna....
This IS fine-tuning just as much as tube-rolling, different spikes and footers, isolation platforms, different weights, headshells, power cables, speaker and interconnects and indeed cartridges themselves.
Each improvement we make does not negate the sum total of the collective 'machine' we have developed.
Our hobby (by its nature) is a constant quest for ever-diminishing micro improvements towards perfection...which of course can never be attained.
This quest results in the proliferation of audio Forums that you populate and contribute to....👀
inna
7,174 posts
 
Halcro, I know what you think, no need to say it.
halcro's avatar
halcro
2,664 posts
 
Indeed ddriveman... suede-side up
http://i.imgur.com/UnMbyr3.jpg
Here is the Micro Seiki CU180 platter mat
http://i.imgur.com/qEWvSHn.jpg
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Well, this is my heavy Micro Seiki CU-500 on SP10mk2 now in use with Audio Union ST-10 disc stabilizer (also made by Micro Seiki).

I use lighweight Saec SS-300 mat on Luxman PD-444 with Noritake NC-02 ceramic clamp.

Both are great mats/clamps for different turntables.
I think CU-500 is the rarest. 
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
12,865 posts
 
Dear @ddriveman : Best true mat for any TT is the AT 666, yes the one with vacuum hold down.

The mat you are refereing is not a mat is an acrilic platter and what you are hearing is not is not that " decoupling " characteristic but the main relationship between the acrilic and the LP vinyl and that's all. A diferent kind of sound.

Years ago SOTA marketed what for me was the best real mat builded with a blended material  that matched the vinyl resonance characteristics of the LP. This SOTA mat take cares about the main subject on mats: resonances in between mat/LP.
Unfortunatelly these SOTA mats disappears. I still own a couple of them, I think??

The AT 666 is diferent and takes care of other critical subjects in that very complex relationship between TT platter and LP surface. Differences with and with other kind of mats are " big differences ". Yes different kind of sound but for me more in the MUSIC live performance.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
More to discover