Turntable mats perform multiple functions. These functions include: Resonance reduction, Friction reduction, and record protection which results in sound improvement.Turntable mats are made from different materials, including: Felt, Cork, Leather and Rubber. Many of the effects have to do with the turntable itself; however, paired with the right mat increases the overall quality of the sound.
I have two turntables: a restored Thorens 126 MKIII and a KAB modified Technics SL1210. I have tried all of the different iterations of turntable mats and in my opinion, nothing equals the performance of the Funk Firm Achromat turntable mat. However, both of my tables have metal platters so I can not speak to the efficacy of the Achromat mat with regard to turntable platters of different materials.
The mat is hard and fairly stiff and is available in 5mm thickness. There's a recess for the label to ensure the LP contacts the mat properly.The effects of the Achromat are most pronounced on a metal platter. On a metal platter, replacing the usual felt or rubber mat, the Achromat gives a sound that is indeed considerably less colored and also distinctly more detailed, more airy and open with greater pace and more holographic than before.
Background:
Achromat is the natural progression from the original acrylic interface invented by Arthur Khoubesserian back in 1979.
Refining the theory he subsequently launched Achromat in 2005. Ongoing refinements in composition and application means that Achromat is now more universal and better than ever. The name is derived from 'achromatic', meaning colorless, which gives a clue as to the claims made for the sound. This is achieved by using a foamed-plastic material which rapidly turns vibrational energy into heat, hence avoiding resonance.
Theory:
The stylus accelerates at up to 20,000g. This means your groove wall is not so much caressed but more akin to being pummeled by a road hammer creating traveling shock waves. When there is a material change (the record sitting on a felt mat, say, these waves are reflected and energy reflected from the bottom of the record (a mere 2mm thick) is sensed by the stylus and heard as coloration.
Can we prevent his reflection?
Achromat is the ideal material to absorb energy from the record. There is no better. But it is only 5mm thick and this is where the science kicks in. Millions of tiny bubbles within create complex pathways and that's where the energy gets lost as heat. In this way, Achromat acts like a considerably thicker mat. No other mat is like it and all it takes is a simple A-B comparison to demonstrate the differences against other supports. Longer term listening allows subtle nuances as well as greater bass intelligibility to be appreciated. Voices seem more natural and large ensembles of instruments are very well-defined and differentiated. Bass is roughly similar in weight and extension, but has less overhang and musical tonality of the presentation is enhanced with respect to precision across the entire frequency range. As a high-end turntable mat, this mat provides a 100 percent match to vinyl records, thereby resulting in a clear sound, and a deep base.
Achromat 1200: Some turntables, (Garrard 301 / 401 and Technics SL1200), have a platter with a machined lip which precludes the use of the normal Achromats (which have a diameter of 293mm). For these turntables the Achromat has a version of the mat with an undercut to overcome the problem. Incredible as it sounds, a $115 Achromat really does benefit every kind of turntable from the most modest to truly exotic creations costing $15,000 and upwards.