Vintage DD turntables. Are we living dangerously?

Are you sure it’s a great idea to couple the SAEC to the spindle with that set screw? Seems to me it creates a path for motor vibration to propagate into the platter where it would be efficiently spread. Not that the TT101 motor has a noticeable problem with mechanical noise.

Anyway, I bought my SS300 from Raul who then became a non-fan of it. I like it on my TT101, but I try not to be dogmatic about platter mats.

By the way, absent visible damage or shape distortion, what difference does it make whether a metal platter mat is “used” or NOS? My response would be “none” or “zero”. At best, I might pay a 10% premium for NOS but for no good reason. I do agree that $300 is a fair price for a nice used sample.

@lewm

Did you notice a tiny treated hole near the spindle hole on SAEC mat?
Do you know how to use it ? The manufacturer was smart enough to offer this option, you can tighten up the mat to the spindle, but you need additional accessories that you can get with a NOS mat (along with the manual) and a nice box. I realized it only when i bought NOS (unused) mat, a complete set.

About NOS SAEC mat:

When i bought NOS sample in the box (with manual) i notices red tool and a small metal piece that allow to tighten up the mat to the spindle with a tiny screw (this is why there is a very small treated hole in the mat near the spindle hole). When you’re buying a used sample these parts always missed and i believe a few people seen it.

If you like scratched or damaged mats you can always buy them with 50% discount compared to MINT- or NOS.
This is RARE mat, it was made 40 years ago.

If you think the price difference between a used Technics SP-10 mkIII and a NOS (boxed) Technics SP10 mkIII will be just 10% then you’re living in the different reality. Some vintage stuff is impossible to find in NOS condition. Actually vintage hi-fi gear is highly collectible. And there is a collector’s value of the NOS gear.

I wish i could buy everything NOS just adding 10% to the price of the used items, but in reality the price goes up to 50-100% for a NOS records, cartridges, mats, turntables, tubes, whatever vintage 

Stuff that involves electronics or moving parts that are known to wear out is an entirely different matter from an inert platter mat.  (By the way, my Mk3 was NOS when I bought it. I have the original carton, etc.) But you are entitled to think and do as you wish.  I didn't mean to rain on your parade. And of course, I am only comparing flawless used mats to NOS mats.  Obviously, a damaged platter mat is worth maybe nothing but certainly much less than a nice sample of a used mat or an NOS mat.  If you look at my sample, hold it in your hand, you would not know whether I took it out of its original box brand new or whether it came to me "pre-owned", as used car dealers in the US are likely to say.  I also own two samples of Boston Audio Mat2.  I bought one brand new and the other I bought used off Audiogon or eBay, used but perfect.  At this point, after many hours of use, you could not tell one from the other.  And they'll be that way indefinitely, unless I mishandle one or the other.


I didn't know about that set screw, but now that I do know, I will continue to ignore it.  What useful purpose would it serve to fasten the mat to the spindle?  (Incidentally, if it's missing, and if one wanted to use it, set screws in all imaginable sizes are available either in a good local hardware store here where I live, or on the internet from such companies as McMaster-Carr.). Yes, it's cool to have the box, etc. That's why I concede I would pay maybe 10% extra for an NOS sample vs a perfect condition used sample.  OK, maybe 20%, if a perfect used one was not available at the time I was searching for this product.  I lack patience.

Dear @lewm  : """  who then became a non-fan of it.  """

After several first hand experiences I become no-fan of any metalmat no matters what.Metal is the main enemy for the LP reproduction in a TT platter. It's the worstplace to have any kind of metal in direct touch with the LP surface. Is way resonant and very fast for the transmision of the feedback resonances to the LP surfaces and then to the cartridge stylus tip/cantilever.

As any ignorant rookie in those all times I was emotionated with every thing with the SAEC name and I bougth not one but 3 SAEC  mats and as I said till I learned and today I have noneof them.

Till today the best mat for  any TT is the original SOTA mat that is out of production. 
You can try to find out this mat where you can attest by your self and confirm my statement and I'm sure that you will put on sale that " garbage " SAEC mat that as all SAEC products are really very well manufactured but this is not its problem.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS, 
R.