This is so interesting that you say this about breathing Harold. Tell us more about this other story!
Using the clamp and Music Hall cork mat, the signal seems more locked, with the proverbial blacker background. But I get a more left-to-right, 2D soundstage. On the other hand, unclamped with the felt mat, the Rega seem to present a more three-dimensional, front to back soundstage. Am I just interpreting smearing as depth? One possibility is that the two mats alter the VTA, which looks like it might be the case. And since I can't adjust the VTA on my current setup, the Music Hall will likely have to go back.
Can I get the 3D image with the black background and locked image please? ha ha. The other issue might be that the Music Hall raises the record off the platter with a dozen cork discs, so it's not truly coupled to the platter. I'm ordering a Herbie mat for comparison.
Using the clamp and Music Hall cork mat, the signal seems more locked, with the proverbial blacker background. But I get a more left-to-right, 2D soundstage. On the other hand, unclamped with the felt mat, the Rega seem to present a more three-dimensional, front to back soundstage. Am I just interpreting smearing as depth? One possibility is that the two mats alter the VTA, which looks like it might be the case. And since I can't adjust the VTA on my current setup, the Music Hall will likely have to go back.
Can I get the 3D image with the black background and locked image please? ha ha. The other issue might be that the Music Hall raises the record off the platter with a dozen cork discs, so it's not truly coupled to the platter. I'm ordering a Herbie mat for comparison.