TT mats

I guess I'm a zombie, in that case.  To each, his own. The BA mats have lots of fans, not too many detractors.  What turntable, tonearm, cartridge?  I use the BA Mat2 on my SP10 Mk3 with Reed tonearm and ZYX UNIverse cartridge.  I also use a Mat2 on on my Victor TT101 with FR64S tonearm and a few different cartridges.  I do also like the SAEC SS300 mat on the Victor, about as good as the BA Mat2 but slightly different sonic balance.

I've got to agree with noromance.  I've used many different mats and they all were different, but not overall better to what was already used.  Certain pieces of music seemed to like one while others sounded somewhat better with another.  NO mat was superior including TTW copper mat on the platter.  Some cost quite a bit more, but were worth less.  I've had Boston Audio, Origin Live Herbie's mat, TTW copper mat (platter), Platter Pad, a different copper platter, glueing down the supplied rubber mat.  These changes were done to VPI Classic, VPI Scout, Lenco with multiple upgrades, and a Maplenoll Ariadne.  Thus far, the best sound by far was with no extra mat on the lead platter of the Maplenoll.

I'm an anti-aftermarket mat guy at this point.  I may try an Artisan Fidelity copper mat on my Lenco platter, but it's very expensive.  I'm rebuilding my 10-layered plinth right now so it can be used with the much upgraded AF chassis--we'll see how that goes.

@lewm I guess each *system* to its own then. It's not a taste issue. It can't be. I know when the leading edge of a snare strike sounds correct verses a muted facsimile of one. Or the subtle ambient chatter of an audience muted to the point of being inaudible by a damped mat. To answer your question about my source, it is an AudioGrail Garrard 401 in a slate plinth on maple with a modified 12" Jelco and paratrace tipped Decca SuperGold. Tube amps. I've another 401 in a ply plinth. Same deal. 

no mat for me either.....(VPI Superscoutmaster/Rim Drive/Classic Platter)