STEREOPHILE'S mat, "Mandified"
Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:38 am
Having found Stereophile's mat to be an improvement to vinyl playback, I surmised that improving its contact with the vinyl might enhance its effectiveness. At its present configuration, the mat only contacts the vinyl at basically the raised label are and the rim of the record (specifically designed, I would assume, to prevent the recorded portions from contacting the platter surface thus minimizing mechanical scratching).
I consulted Doc Lito about my thoughts and learned that he, being the designer of the mat was way ahead of me. He offered to lend me his test mat with the label area cut out. Soon after, Tonya kindly took it with him to San Pablo when he visited me.
Used on my system, the verdict in one word: SUPERB!
Since then, I have been trying to come out with an explanation for what I was hearing and the phrase "Vinyl overload" (if indeed there is such a animal) seemed like an appropriate term. I imagine that the vinyl material can only take a certain level of modulation above which its properties become discontinuous. Other devices act the same way ( i.e. a loudspeaker complains unpleasantly when overdriven). This is just my conjecture after having heard the effect of the modified mat. It seemed to mollify the chaos of overmodulation and results in cleaner crescendos, more natural sibilance and better dynamics. Or maybe, the mat could simply be an excellent damper for the vibrations that reverberate all over the vinyl during playback. Whatever the reason is, the proof is in the hearing...I am very happy with the results.
So good doctor, I am sorry to inform you that you won't be getting your mat back. It stays right here! OK, so have me arrested for matnapping. It is worth its weight in gold (lucky for me it doesn't weigh too much). Easily among the best tweaks I have ever come across for my system. Please send me the bill PDQ.
One small problem (?).....keeping the mat centered. I "mandified" it by attaching it to a regular Stereophile mat. Problem solved.
Thanks much Doc Lito, for your valuable contribution to my listening pleasure. Looking forward to more good stuff from the Skunkworks!
I consulted Doc Lito about my thoughts and learned that he, being the designer of the mat was way ahead of me. He offered to lend me his test mat with the label area cut out. Soon after, Tonya kindly took it with him to San Pablo when he visited me.
Used on my system, the verdict in one word: SUPERB!
Since then, I have been trying to come out with an explanation for what I was hearing and the phrase "Vinyl overload" (if indeed there is such a animal) seemed like an appropriate term. I imagine that the vinyl material can only take a certain level of modulation above which its properties become discontinuous. Other devices act the same way ( i.e. a loudspeaker complains unpleasantly when overdriven). This is just my conjecture after having heard the effect of the modified mat. It seemed to mollify the chaos of overmodulation and results in cleaner crescendos, more natural sibilance and better dynamics. Or maybe, the mat could simply be an excellent damper for the vibrations that reverberate all over the vinyl during playback. Whatever the reason is, the proof is in the hearing...I am very happy with the results.
So good doctor, I am sorry to inform you that you won't be getting your mat back. It stays right here! OK, so have me arrested for matnapping. It is worth its weight in gold (lucky for me it doesn't weigh too much). Easily among the best tweaks I have ever come across for my system. Please send me the bill PDQ.
One small problem (?).....keeping the mat centered. I "mandified" it by attaching it to a regular Stereophile mat. Problem solved.
Thanks much Doc Lito, for your valuable contribution to my listening pleasure. Looking forward to more good stuff from the Skunkworks!