[Folsom]

The allen's are recessed in, and there isn't any way to get to them? Maybe an allen that is angled but the only one I have is too long and I don't even know what the stupid size is; nor can I cut it . There are no pictures or information anywhere on this.

I bought a Herbie's mat, and I'd like to )(&@$()*$ listen to an album with it. 

[Folsom]

Nevermind... got it done. That was stupid. I hate that part of the turntable.

[S Clark]

What's your impression of the Herbie's mat?

Scott

[Folsom]

Absolutely needed upgrade from felt. I went for the 3.7mm to make sure I get full benefit.

Focus is much better. Tonal range is obviously saved from a lot of platter noise. You can really start to criticize recording quality of an album once you get one of these. The noise floor really is much, much, lower. I use to think a lot of the noise was just the sound of vinyl but it was the crappy felt letting way too much through.

Vocals sound a little quieter, which is almost strange except I think simply that instruments are retaining much better resonation to them.

I had been skeptical if it would just be a cute upgrade since the platter itself is still metal, the turntable nothing special, etc. It really works though . Definitely catching more subtle information.

 

[Folsom]

Voices are coming back in a bit. Might be because of slight shift in VTA or whatever. It was more positive before (maybe a touch much).

The more I listen, then more differences I notice. When a record side ends it is impressive how much quiet the loop is at the end. In fact you can listen to it like a piece of music because it is so quiet and subtle in characteristic.

[MaxCast]

Just wait till it breaks in     

Just kidding, want to get one of these myself.  Thanks for your findings.

[Letitroll98]

Absolutely needed upgrade from felt. I went for the 3.7mm to make sure I get full benefit.

Focus is much better. Tonal range is obviously saved from a lot of platter noise. You can really start to criticize recording quality of an album once you get one of these. The noise floor really is much, much, lower. I use to think a lot of the noise was just the sound of vinyl but it was the crappy felt letting way too much through.

Vocals sound a little quieter, which is almost strange except I think simply that instruments are retaining much better resonation to them.

I had been skeptical if it would just be a cute upgrade since the platter itself is still metal, the turntable nothing special, etc. It really works though . Definitely catching more subtle information.

Glad the mat is working for you.  Not to rain on anyone's parade, an improvement for whatever reason is good, but this is just about the result you might expect by decreasing VTA.  You kinda alluded that you did this (decreased VTA) when switching to the Herbie mat, could you clarify?  Herbie's products seem well liked by many and I don't want to jump to any conclusions, you're the one with the first hand knowledge here.

[Folsom]

I only changed VTA to compensate for the new Mat. It is about the same VTA as before.