Cork mat or acrylic platter, what say ye?

hrd2imgn

Cork slipmat or acrylic platter, any reason one over the other other than price?

tempo_n_groove

I use the acrylic.  

https://uturnaudio.com/blogs/uturn/choosing-a-turntable-platter-mdf-or-acrylic

earthquakes making waves

acrylic if you have the option, but if you need (I do as I use a vintage Pioneer TT that I love) a slipmat go BUCKSKIN all the way. they sound incredible, very low static or noise, and nobody knows about them so they are super affordable. cork is way overrated imo

PJ_Soul

Mine's rubber, and I like that very much. Keeps the record stuck solidly on the platter, and you can clean it with dish detergent in the sink

lolobugg

damn you guys for getting me looking at mats again.

need to check the specs of my TT to see if it can take an acrylic platter.

this is my table: 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-Direct-Drive-Auto-Return-YP-D6-Turntable-w-Stanton-EEE-Cartridge/152560232026?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=2&asc=41451&meid=8f34b98f45664e7583695e6a45dd3765&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=282395544852

what ya guys think? currently using the hybrid cork mat from bags unlimited(I think that's where I got it).

earthquakes making waves

I'm telling you for the money this is the one:

https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Leather-Deer-Hide-Turntable/dp/B00JDWHDSS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1497039875&sr=8-3&keywords=skin+slipmat

Yes you can spend more and acrylic is the best, but these sound awesome if you need a shipmate.

lolobugg

thanks. looks really nice. do your records stick to it when you lift them off?

earthquakes making waves

Not usually, I have a super "static filled" house (maybe I drag my feet too much) and usually never sticks, when I have problems with that in the winter time if at all it only sticks when I'm dumb enough not to ground myself before touching the record and mat. Just touch the ground on your phono preamp and discharge all your electrons, that trick also helps keep dust and static cling off your records too:)

dudeman

Something to keep in mind when choosing a new platter or mat is the vertical tracking angle of your stylus. If you go with a thicker mat or just add one on top of your old one, you change the angle that the stylus contacts the groove. This may result in distortion, damage to the cantilever or damage to your records.

Some turntables have adjustments for VTA and some don't. Also, conical stylii should have fewer issues with this but often offer less fidelity than elliptical or Shibata stylii. 

Just some food for thought as you're deciding. 

dudeman

I've experimented with cork, felt and neoprene on my turntable but ended up going back to the stock rubber mat every time. 

brianlux

Black felt here.  Why?  "Cause that's what the Pro-Ject came with.  Is there a good reason to change it?

MedozK

This is the cork mat I use.

brianlux

Ordered a Pro-Ject Cork It cork mat to go with my Por-Ject Carbon Debut.  Looks like it should be a very good upgrade.

tempo_n_groove

brianlux said:

Ordered a Pro-Ject Cork It cork mat to go with my Por-Ject Carbon Debut.  Looks like it should be a very good upgrade.

I have the acryllic @brianlux and I notice a difference for the better.

brianlux

tempo_n_groove said:

brianlux said:

Ordered a Pro-Ject Cork It cork mat to go with my Por-Ject Carbon Debut.  Looks like it should be a very good upgrade.

I have the acryllic @brianlux and I notice a difference for the better.

Nice!  I'm sure the cork will be a step up at least.  I hope it makes a diff anyway!

dudeman

Out of curiosity, what kind of differences are you noticing with different types of mats? 

tempo_n_groove

dudeman said:

Out of curiosity, what kind of differences are you noticing with different types of mats? 

Less "pop".

dudeman

Do you mean the popping and clicking you would hear from static or dust on a record? 

tempo_n_groove

dudeman said:

Do you mean the popping and clicking you would hear from static or dust on a record? 

Less static and noise, yes.

brianlux

tempo_n_groove said:

dudeman said:

Do you mean the popping and clicking you would hear from static or dust on a record? 

Less static and noise, yes.

I'm noticing that with my new cork slipmat as well.  And less dust clinging to the vinyl.

cp3iverson

Cork didnt do much for me on my ProJect Carbon. Never invested in acrylic. 

tempo_n_groove

brianlux said:

tempo_n_groove said:

dudeman said:

Do you mean the popping and clicking you would hear from static or dust on a record? 

Less static and noise, yes.

I'm noticing that with my new cork slipmat as well.  And less dust clinging to the vinyl.

With the acrylic dust is not a problem.

earthquakes making waves

If it's static pops. Always ground yourself before handling and placing the record on the TT. Just place your finger on the "open part" of the ground cable on either end. It won't shock you and just discharges your extra static electrons you've accumulated then transferred to your record. It helps me immensely.

dudeman

This is good advice. I'm sure most people do it already but running a brush wetted with Discwasher solution (or something similar) over each side before playing really knocks down the snap, crackle and pop.

tempo_n_groove

dudeman said:

This is good advice. I'm sure most people do it already but running a brush wetted with Discwasher solution (or something similar) over each side before playing really knocks down the snap, crackle and pop.

I brush every record before I listen.  I don't do it wet though.

DewieCox

I've always looked at the cork slip mat as preventative maintenance. It keeps the static from building back up after you've cleaned and de-static-ified.

Id really recommend doing a good wet clean on your records. A brush is good for the stuff you can see, but doesn't really help long term sound quality. 

earthquakes making waves

Can I get some recommendations 2 things for me:

1 - A good washing solution and brush to use. I already use a felt "brush" and that helps a lot but I can tell it's not getting as deep in the grooves as I would like.

2 - A descent way to do a deep clean on some pretty dirty records that have been sitting on my Dad's shelves for about 30-50 years. He's got some great 1st editions I'd really love to listen to, but not damage while trying to clean. I've seen mixed reviews on those plastic record washers on Amazon, but I figured some friends on here might give some goon advice.

Thanks much! Feel free to PM me, I can fix most things instrument and audio/electronics wise and would be happy to help this great community!

lolobugg

earthquakes making waves said:

Can I get some recommendations 2 things for me:

1 - A good washing solution and brush to use. I already use a felt "brush" and that helps a lot but I can tell it's not getting as deep in the grooves as I would like.

2 - A descent way to do a deep clean on some pretty dirty records that have been sitting on my Dad's shelves for about 30-50 years. He's got some great 1st editions I'd really love to listen to, but not damage while trying to clean. I've seen mixed reviews on those plastic record washers on Amazon, but I figured some friends on here might give some goon advice.

Thanks much! Feel free to PM me, I can fix most things instrument and audio/electronics wise and would be happy to help this great community!

I use the "yellow" Spin Clean system. works great. just make sure the brushes are in good shape.

I also have an extra one for the rinse cycle and then a have a vacuum attachment to dry the record.

pretty good little DIY system that costs half what you would pay for the all-in-one types

H.Chinaski

Heavy rubber or cork

brianlux

lolobugg said:

earthquakes making waves said:

Can I get some recommendations 2 things for me:

1 - A good washing solution and brush to use. I already use a felt "brush" and that helps a lot but I can tell it's not getting as deep in the grooves as I would like.

2 - A descent way to do a deep clean on some pretty dirty records that have been sitting on my Dad's shelves for about 30-50 years. He's got some great 1st editions I'd really love to listen to, but not damage while trying to clean. I've seen mixed reviews on those plastic record washers on Amazon, but I figured some friends on here might give some goon advice.

Thanks much! Feel free to PM me, I can fix most things instrument and audio/electronics wise and would be happy to help this great community!

I use the "yellow" Spin Clean system. works great. just make sure the brushes are in good shape.

I also have an extra one for the rinse cycle and then a have a vacuum attachment to dry the record.

pretty good little DIY system that costs half what you would pay for the all-in-one types

The Spin Clean system works great!  Hadn't thought about an extra for rinse cycle.  Good idea!

I bought extra drying cloths but they get damp fast so I set up a dish drying rack I found that doesn't touch the grooves and set it up with the records facing edge-wise toward a slow speed fan for complete drying.  I hand wash the clothes and avoid drying them with dryer sheets (they leave a was residue on the cloth- not good for records!) 

Good idea about keeping the brushes cleaned and in good shape.  Word of caution- if you decide to get an extra brush set, don't bother with the after-marked brushes.  They're only good for 200 gram LP's-- everything else just slides through to easily and don't clean well.

brianlux

Not to get too far off subject here but what stylus cleaners do you like/ work best for you?