SP-10 Mat

Lew

How do you find the SP10 Mk3 vs the Mk2? I have a line on a cheap Mk2 with EPA-100 tonearm, however not sure if it is worth my expense and time as I keep hearing the Mk3 blows the Mk2 away.
not sure how close to the truth that is?

I use the Herbie's mat on both my SP 10MK3 and MK2A and really like them. They allow a very natural and unperturbed view of the midrange and highs...possibly less perfect in the bass (maybe a slight sloppiness there). They reduce noise. I have tried the vintage Micro Seiki mat and do not care for the added brightness and slight glare that I hear, but the bass is better defined. Having said that, many people I respect like these and similar mats, so I intend to try them again, as my system has evolved since trying the Micro Seiki.

Downunder, a MK2 that has been electronically upgraded with the Krebs modification is a formidable turntable. It does sound different from the MK3 - something I had commented about under Albert Porter's virtual system forum. Perhaps those comments will be helpful to you.

Downunder and Kmc, I have not heard any Krebs-modded SP10s. Perhaps they bring the Mk2 closer to the Mk3. However, IMO between the unmodified versions, the Mk3 is indeed far and away superior to the Mk2, albeit the Mk2 is excellent. It doesn't take 5 minutes of listening to know that. This difference between Mk3 and Mk2 makes sense, because of the vast price difference between the two in the current market. I am curious to know how the Dobbins The Beat compares to Mk3, myself. Clearly, he was influenced by the Mk3 in designing The Beat.

Kmc, All I can recall is that a head to head comparison of the Boston Audio Mat1 to the Herbie's mat led me to use the former, but this may have been on my restored Lenco. Don't think I did a head to head on the Technics. On the Technics, I compared an SAEC to the BA Mat2, and the latter won narrowly. Thus I ended up with Mat1 on Lenco and Mat2 on SP10 Mk3. On matters of this sort, I tend to make a decision and not look back.

There is quite a price jump from the Herbies mat to the Boston Audio Mat 2. Thinking about one for my Well Tempered Classic table, along with an upgrade to the clamp. Not sure which way to go. I guess one good thing about the Boston Audio is that they give you 30 days to try it out.

Ebuzz,
Herbies mat also has a home trial. I believe it's 90 days. You could order both and decide for yourself. Keep the one that best meets your needs.