Merry Christmas to all you fellow Audiogoners.. Thanks Mds for clarifying the Theta/Oppo thing. I had been under the impression, and told by several Audiophile (expert-wanna-be?) friends that later Theta transport designs were modified Oppo transport mechanisms. I took them at their word. I claim to be no expert in the matter. However, if the OP (Tropicalpests) has had issues with the use of aftermarket "mats", as I have with both my Carmen2 and my Compli, it makes me wonder if the shallowness of the drawer could be the culprit? My earlier Theta Basic and Basic2 transports had considerably larger drawer assemblies that sported much deeper "wells" (for lack of a better description) and posed no problems ever with the use of ANY mat. Such is not the case with the Carmen2 or the Compli. Neither of which safely allow the use of any mat. At least not in my experience. As you know, the drawer assembly is much more streamlined and shallower and doesn't allow for much more then the CD, DVD, and SACD. Which is kind of a bummer since I really liked what certian mats did for the sound. Namely the Audioprism "Blacklight" and the Marigo Labs "3D Signature Stabilizer" mat. Both worked very well in my given set-up and seemed to focus and "tighten-up" the digital presentation. There was an immediate and noticeable improvment. But those dics only add to the thickness of the CD they sit on top of. Of course you all know this already. That causes a grinding, or rubbing sound, often times jamming up disc as it was in play. Not to mention ejecting the disc when opening up the drawer. A risk that is just not worth taking as I'm sure you'll agree, so sans add on after market mats and discs. Too bad, because I think they do a good job. I have heard from other folks that also happens on Oppo transports.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Theta says the same thing other posters to this thread have...don't use the discs. Damn!
