TT mats

The best mat I've ever heard is the one SME uses. EAR Isodamp SD125. Michael Percy has the material you can order and cut one out yourself.

@pbnaudio Yes, all SME platters come with self adhesive Isodamp SD125 (~3mm thick) mat installed at the factory. They also diamond turn the surface for a nicer finish as well as a better interface with the record. SME orders the mat material directly from Aearo Technologies (EAR).

Michael Percy sells the Isodamp SD125 material by the foot (it’s not cheap), so a DIYer can order and cut out a mat to experience some of what SME engineers do.

Best material for a mat that I have personally heard. It’s also great to dampen chassis, motor, etc. with.

@pbnaudio They’ve used Isodamp since inception. That mustard colored material is the Isodamp SD125 mat. Aero Technologies has discontinued the mustard color about a year, or so ago. New SME turntables will have black Isodamp instead. As can be seen on their website: https://sme.co.uk/audio/turntables/

Fremer actually mentions Isodamp in the very review you linked: https://www.stereophile.com/content/sme-model-2012-turntable-amp-312s-tonearm-page-3

@bdp24 Where are you getting Isodamp pricing? What you’ve posted is a nonsensical price.

Isodamp C-1002 Series 0.125" thick, 54" by linear foot is $68. That’s a lot of material. Can be ordered from the authorized distributor direct: https://www.rathbun.com/c-40-damping-isolation-materials.aspx

Michael Percy sells SD Series (what SME uses) 0.125" thick, 12" by 27" for $60. http://www.percyaudio.com/Catalog.pdf

Both sources have other thicknesses and sizes.

@bdp24 I would just place a record on top, trace it, then use sharp scissors.

The SD series from Percy are all adhesive backed. The strength of that adhesive is practically permanent. If you decide to try it, I recommend doing so without removing the protective film. 

Another mat to try is the Funk Firm's Achromat for $100. Its secret material is foamed PVC. Identical stuff that signs are made out of. You can get the 3mm thick sheets at any sign store, or even Lowe's/Home Depot in any color and cut a circle out. They run $10-$20.

@chakster Both of those mats are metal placed on a metal platter. That’s like placing a record directly on the brass top plate on the new 1200G.

There’s not much dampening going on there.

Can you describe the sound difference between what you use and a mat made out of elastomer type of material?

Isodamp is the best. I wrote that at the beginning of this thread. SME uses SD125, it’s 3mm thick. Michael Percy sells it at a reasonable price.

No doubt in my mind SME makes the best turntables in the world.

@rauliruegas SOTA Supermat is acrylic. Just like the awesome Goldmund mat. Good stuff, both of them.

I also find it hard to believe that metal mats sound good. But I haven't heard many. I played a record directly on top of the brass platter on 1200G and was not impressed by the results. 

If anyone wants to try an acrylic mat, use an old laserdisc with a very thin layer of blu tac, works great :)

@rauliruegas You honestly think a garage company like SOTA developed or custom ordered some special polymer? It's acrylic. 

Supermat is acrylic. Says do in their own website: http://www.sotaturntables.com/engineering.htm

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