Faradayblue, Yes, change the mat! You can then transfer it to a TD160 when you get there. I would wait until you get a better arm before upgrading the cartridge: you will hear a significant improvement with the arm alone, and the mat. There are fans of all kinds of mats on this website: for myself, I am considering the Boston Audio Design Mat1, a heavy graphite mat which will push the performance of your 'table by a surprising amount: I'll be putting mine on a Lenco and on an Ariston. There are so many mats I've forgotten all the names: start a new thread to the effect of which mats work best with metal platters to get this info. I have kept the bearing/platter from a TD160, which is a work of art, one of the best I've seen. I plan to build a whole new 'table around this platform. With the 160 you'll have the platform you're seeking for those SME tonearms, and don't believe anyone who says these 'tables aren't "serious."
