Must be a new thing - been a while since the last SME was here - this is what I was referring to https://www.stereophile.com/turntables/sme_model_2012_turntable_312s_tonearm/index.html Good listening Peter |
@pbnaudio They’ve used Isodamp since inception. That mustard colored material is the Isodamp SD125 mat. Aero Technologies has discontinued the mustard color about a year, or so ago. New SME turntables will have black Isodamp instead. As can be seen on their website: https://sme.co.uk/audio/turntables/ Fremer actually mentions Isodamp in the very review you linked: https://www.stereophile.com/content/sme-model-2012-turntable-amp-312s-tonearm-page-3 |
Isodamp is great stuff, particularly when used as constrained layer damping. Because of it’s high price ($238 for a 4" X 4.5" X 1/8" square!), I chose to use the similar ASC Wall Damp for my constrained layer needs. A 4" X 4" square of Wall Damp costs only a buck or two. Of course, a turntable platter will look rather unsightly covered with 4" X 4" pieces, but ASC also sells it cut to size. |
My experience is limited to a number of 401s with aluminum platters. 1. Boston Mat 2: energy suck, "cleaned" up the sound by removing microdetails including spatial cues, air and life. 2. Std. rubber mat: adds lushness and musicality. Smears mids and highs. Adds bass bloom. 3. 10" vinyl record: removes smearing and coloration (possibly due to the store and release of damping). Increase in detail, speed, air, transparency. Improved bass definition. Possibility of a little added brightness. This is what I use. 4. Cork, paper, felt, leather DIY mats: Meh. Not worth the effort. |
