Nottingham Spacedeck vs Rega Planar 8 vs Technics SL1200G

essrand:

Glad I could offer something to the conversation that you found useful. I did just listen to a SP10R in an Artisan Fidelity plinth with a Schroeder CB1-L arm :) that was quite nice. The bearing only had about 300 hours on it and I’ve found that motor structure to require 700 hours for full run-in. I may start a thread with my impressions but don’t want to hi-jack this one. 

I think the 1200G is just now starting to get the respect it deserves. It really is a table that one can run a +$5k cartridge on and with the commensurate phono stage build a startling good analog rig around. What I’m saying is that to get more table, you are going to have to spend quite a bit more and the usual suspects that people like to mention in the same breath as the Technics AINT gonna cut it!

If anybody is moved by this thread to buy RP8, today I got an email from one of the big music direct retailers offering about a third off the price of them. Cheers,
Spencer 

So, I received the Oracle mat and the Project record weight for my Technics SL1200G.  I found that the whole presentation is enhanced with the bass being much more solid.  My question to Ralph or others, should I remove the sticky backing on the underside of mat and stick to my platter or leave the covering on?  I'm afraid if I stick the mat down, I won't be able to easily remove it if I need to remove the platter.  What do you guys and girls think?

I use a funk firm mat it came with some sticky clear double sided tape in little circles at 4 spots that do not hold the mat down real tight I can remove it easily, I think they are there to keep it from slipping. Does the Oracle have a complete coverage? If it does I would be worried about using it, maybe you could do small pieces of double sided tape

stereo5,

I have a SL1200G that Ralph modded for me with a Triplanar tonearm. I too use the Oracle Hard Acrylic mat that Ralph suggested. To answer your question; I have used the Oracle mat without removing the sticky back. My mat is not, stuck down to the brass platter. IMO, sticking the Oracle Mat to the brass platter is not necessary.

Ralph,might disagree with me, just to get every last bit of SQ that this might allow. I do not think it necessary.

I tried, the stock rubber mat, a new felt mat from my LP12, An old cork mat, an X- treme carbon fiber mat and some type of firm gel mat The Oracle mat provides great sonics through the entire spectrum. Highs are clear and extended without being harsh, Mids are right on. Bass with my Lyra is tight, textured and more solid.

I placed a small piece of blue tape on the edge of the mat and on the brass platter and marked them to detect any movement / slippage. Nothing has moved since I placed the mat in June 2017.

I also tried the brass record weight from my Kuzma TT, A SOTA reflex clamp, a Stillpoints LP1 record weight and finally settled on a 315 gr HRS record weight.
 
The Oracle mat and HRS record weight work well for me. 

If you decide to stick the Oracle mat to the brass platter; you will need to drill 3 holes in it to access the 3 bolts holding the brass platter if you need to, in the future. It would be hard to remove the Oracle Mat without damage if you stick it to the brass platter.