I use a custom made (as in I asked the guy to reduce the diameter) acrylic mat topped by a
Teac Washi
https://www.musicdirect.com/accessories/TEAC-Washi-Turntable-Mat
on my Oracle Alex III with an aluminum alloy platter.
I tried the Acrylic because that's what Oracle has switched to. It proved to sound somewhat cleaner than the Groove Isolator that I was using. Still, I didn't have the nerve to clamp mt vinyl down on such an unforgiving surface. Hence the Washi.
These days I remove the Washi when playing 180 g LPs and clamp ever so lightly. This compensates for VTA (I tell myself ;^).
Anyway, it sounds very realistic and 'present' to me.
on my Oracle Alex III with an aluminum alloy platter.
I tried the Acrylic because that's what Oracle has switched to. It proved to sound somewhat cleaner than the Groove Isolator that I was using. Still, I didn't have the nerve to clamp mt vinyl down on such an unforgiving surface. Hence the Washi.
These days I remove the Washi when playing 180 g LPs and clamp ever so lightly. This compensates for VTA (I tell myself ;^).
Anyway, it sounds very realistic and 'present' to me.