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Adding a Turntable Mat

   I have an older turntable (Pioneer PL-530). Am the original owner. Have done a few things to keep this table operating as original as possible. Yeah, I know this isn't a high end table by any means. Rather than receiving a flood of advice on what tables are better, I would like to hear from someone who may have knowledge/experience with different types of table mats.
   My table has no VTA adjustment capability. The stock platter mat is rubber. Seeking minor/inexpensive tweaks and if a different mat may or may not provide any perceptible improvement. If it's inexpensive and provides no improvement....no problem.
   Here's my question.....For example...If I installed a thin cork mat, could that mat simply be placed on top of the existing rubber mat or should the rubber mat be removed first and then just use the cork mat? Remember, this table doesn't have VTA adjustment.
Thanks

jrpnde
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Seeking minor/inexpensive tweaks and if a different mat may or may not provide any perceptible improvement.

lewm, that is a two part question.  

Part a) "seeking minor/inexpensive tweaks" and   

Part b) "if a different mat may or may not provide any perceptible improvement."   

The mat question was answered in the first three posts. That leaves "minor/inexpensive tweaks" which can go on forever.  

lewm
13,769 posts
 
First 2 posts offer very specific opinions, and then you wrote that you “wouldn’t mess around with the mat”. ( I now realize that your original response was the 4th post.) From there the responses went off in many directions. Just thought I’d add my 2 cents, on the subject of the importance of a record mat. Did not mean to step on any toes. I’m as guilty as anyone else when it comes to digression.
tksteingraber's avatar
tksteingraber
733 posts
 
@millercarbon
”Another $30 that is highly effective, Origin Live Cartridge Enabler. This one is highly effective all by itself.”

Anyone know where these can be purchased in the US?  Only found them at Origin’s sight in UK.
kellyp's avatar
kellyp
104 posts
 
To get your VTA right you need a high power microscope.  take the cartridge off and measure the stylus to the cantilever angle.  Then remount it and measure the cantilever to the record angle because the stylus is too small, it can't be done accurately.  That is the only way to get it right.

One high-end cartridge was 7 degrees off.  Far our of my adjustment range.  I put a wedge between the cartridge and the headshell and all is OK.

I think someone here suggested different mat thicknesses to vary the VTA. 

If you want a non-reflective mat, as I prefer, get a thin sheet of sorbothane.  It is very sticky to vinyl though, so cut a thing isolating layer of something so it won't adhere to the record.  That makes a huge difference in sound.

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
tksteingraber, Far as I can tell they have a couple dealers here in the US but none of them carries any stock in hand. So I order direct from Mark Baker at Origin Live in the UK. I would email and ask about shipping. Mine came with my Enterprise arm. The Enabler is so small it should go in a regular mail envelope, but Mark will know for sure. 
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