turntable mats: should I use one?

Has anyone tried a cork mat? Theoretically, cork should be excellent as a material as it is a natural vibration control material. I imagine natural musician's cork 1/8" thickness would be the cat's pajamas.

Hi Harold,
There are qualities about the Resomat that I like. Sibilance is not what I'd describe as excessive, just a whisker more than I'm accustomed to. On the face of it both mats are unconventional being mostly suspended in air. It's obviously a synergy issue because many who use similar T/Ts - with the heavy mat as an underlay for platter damping - are reporting good success.

Kind regards,

Hi Geoff,
Good point. Full sized cork mats are widely renowned as having desirable sonic properties and some manufacturers just install cork mats on the platter as default even to the extent of bonding them on permanently.

Of course, that just takes away all the fun.... :^)
Cheers,

Dear Moonglum, Quite rightly so :-)

I´m planning to buy a 1 kg mat under Reso-Mat, not to improve sonics but add mass on the maglev bearing.
And oh yes, for fun too... : )

I've used a Reso-Mat on a highly modified VPI TNT and a Kenwood L07D. Both applications benefitted from a light clamping force or a record weight. I'm currently using a 1 lb. 6 oz. Still Points LPI record weight on top of Reso-Mat with a 4 lb. TT Weights copper mat underneath Reso-Mat. The LPI is about the right mass to couple an LP to the vinyl points with authority and get the best from Reso-Mat. I agree with Moonglum that without the added mass, Reso-Mat can sound a tad light and shimmery. But with moderate mass loading the presentation snaps into focus and gives a nice tight LF without bloat or false warmth.