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Record Mats In Combination With Weights

One day I was browsing on this site and saw a product for sale.  A vinyl weight that was 900+ grams for $250 USD.  I wondered if having a heavier weight was better.

I ran across some discussion about the problems with using weights.  The record label is technically thicker than the actual listening space on the vinyl. Placing the weight on it can possibly lift the outer portion of the record on lightweight vinyl (80 grams). Additionally, most record mats that come with turntables have a slight indention in the center to compensate for that lager label section.  I recently got the Funk Firm Achromat (3mm). I see that the center portion is a different material and appears to be recessed.  I am currently using a Fluance Hifi High Mass (760 gram) weight stabilizer.

Am I doing a disservice by having both the Achromat and a high mass stabilizer? Thus far, I have only heard good things from my system when both are used, but I am not sure what the weights of my various LPs are.
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mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Fuzztone, excellent. You are right it is start up and the pully spinning a little that wears the belt. With some motors like the one I now have in my Sota also brake the pulley so strongly when you turn them of that you get the same type of wear.

Another nice thing about clamps that grip is they are useful in removing the platter from it's bearing. You just pull straight up.
rockyboris
40 posts
 
Thanks MC for the Origin Live recommendation I bought both the mat and clamp, Wow the vocals improved, the lows are tight and the highs have expanded. 
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Yeah, pretty impressive stuff. Try the Cartridge Enabler, and if you do be very careful to use only very slight tightening torque. I learned by experimentation. Try loosening very slightly, like 1/6 of a turn at a time, listen, repeat. Depending on your cart, headshell, washers, etc it might not make a huge difference. Then again it might. Someone paid $200 for a micro torque wrench to do this and some people swear by them. Or you can go by feel and listen, same result. Anyway this is real good way of learning super tight is not always better.

My understanding is the Enabler and Mat are the same material, engineered to facilitate directional vibration control. The Enabler for example is marked Top even though it looks like conventional material that could go either way. More here than meets the eye. 
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