Firm elastomer "donut" is a great record/platter interface for Raven AC, Verdier Platine, and other turntables that typically do not use a platter mat. Standard .81mm-thick mat has sufficient body/weight that it stays in position on the platter and records lift right off. Herbie's Donut is also handy to use instead of awkward-to-use shims and to avoid adjusting VTA between records: just place on top of your present mat when you need a height boost for thin records, take it off for use with thick records.
Dimensions:
- Outside diameter: 280mm (11") Inside diameter 108mm (4.25")
- Thickness: .81mm (.032") or optional .5mm
- Optional spindle washer allows use of record clamp.
- Reviews
- Questions
CanadaEssential upgrade for matless platters
Platters should grip records! If you like designs with matless platters (topped with a hard surface like vinyl or acrylic--I'm looking at you, Pro-Ject RPM series), you need this to prevent all but your perfectly flat records from sliding around / being turned mainly by the spindle. And even the flat ones will sound better because you've added a layer of damping.
United StatesThe Donut Mat was perfect for my needs
The Donut Mat was perfect for my use which is to find reasonably priced upgrades for an old consumer-grade Pioneer table. The 1.5mm thickness filled the surface of the cheapo aluminum platter (sound-deadening added underneath) which has a lip around the upper rim. Now the Herbies 2mm platter mat lays flat on top of that. It really improves the sound, noticeably reducing noise and creating a sonically black background. A concern is that the table has a P-mount cartridge and no VTA adjustment, so I had to create a mat setup that pretty closely matched the thickness of the original rubber mat. So far, the little, inexpensive upgrades have helped make an old table usable until I can get something better. Thumbs-up Herbie's!
United StatesGreat results
On my Rega P8, I have two Way Excellent II Turntable Mats, 2mm and 3mm, and two of these, one in each size. I like the flexibility and the possibilities --> .5mm, .8mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 2.8mm, 3mm, 3.3mm, 3.5mm, 3.8mm (also these sizes, although I've yet to use them: 4.3mm, 5mm, 5.5mm, 5.8mm, and 6.3mm!) As suggested, "place on top of your present mat," which really helps dial in VTA/SRA for records of different thicknesses, but I've also had great results using just these donuts on the glass platter, no mat, either one by itself, or two donuts stacked on each other. Best practice for thick vinyl reissues, which sounded a bit dark and dull even with my 2mm mat, has been an .8mm directly on the glass; it really livens up the sound. Can't recommend these enough for Rega turntables.
United StatesThin donut
Love the mat ... lower VTA
United StatesGreat Mat
I bought this to go on the non-vacuum plater of a Sota Saphire. The results are great: a significant reduction in surface noise over the bonded aluminum/acrylic playing surface of the stock platter. Well played!
United StatesGood Products!
I have had a Herbie's mat on my VPI Scout for years and it works great. I just bought a Donut Mat for a 1980s B&O turntable that I put back into service in our living room and it is just what I needed. It dampens the platter and raises the record up just enough so it doesn't scrape on the plinth.
United StatesDonut Record Mat
I guess I wasn’t aware that there is just a space about the size of a record label in the middle of the mat. So somehow it needs to be centered for proper contact with a record. Maybe I’m missing something. It looks like a suitable pad but isn’t very user friendly.
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