I have a Final Tool also and after going through the Ring Mat and several felt mats I settled on the Extreme Phono Donut mat with Graphite Speed mat. Details pop out and it is not an insignificant difference. Have not tried a gel mat though. Also put 3 Myrtle wood blocks under the feet. They make a difference too. I have a Billy Bags component rack and its not the best at dampening vibrations. Mike
Best mat choices for high mass metal turntables?
I've recently changed analog sources from a VPI Scout to an Acoustic Signature Final Tool. I'm curious if other owners of similar high mass, metal turntables have preferred their tables with mats or with bare platters? I've researched this forum and the Vinyl Asylum, but most responses to mat questions have centered around acrylic platters and tables of lesser mass. I notice that another similar design turntable, Acoustic Signature, supplies a laminate mat of suede/acrylic. Any owners of those tables care to comment? The mat supplied with my table was the ubiquitous thin felt variety which sounds horrible to my ears. Sucks the life out of the highs and muffles the bass. I'm running the Final Tool with a Garrott Optim FGS moving magnet cartridge. I find the sound I'm getting now to be a serious upgrade from the VPI Scout. However, the Scout does have a slightly more fulsome and fleshed out lower frequency range which I quite like. I'd like a mat that at least preserves the current tonal balance, if not lending a smidgen more emphasis on the bass. This preference makes me question the suitability of the Boston Audio mat considering other reports. At this point, Herbies Way Excellent mat or maybe a leather laminate mat seem to be the most likely candidates from what I've read. Ideas?
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- 7 posts total
- 7 posts total