[audioasylum thread - read it here]

I have a Thorens TD160B Mk II turntable and have meticulously setup the turntable, adjust the springs and spent many times fiddling with VTAs and Platter spring tensions. After all of these tweaking I felt there is nothing more I can try until I read all the raves about Ringmat platter mats. I always thought they are way too overpriced so I decided to make one myself. I thought that would be more exciting since I can try several variations. Upon reading some DIY mat projects at The Analog Department I went to purchase a drawing paper and some multi-purpose cork roll (24” x 48”) for around CAD 10 and CAD15, respectively. After making some different sample trials and loads of fun, I settled for this sample.

Pictured below (clockwise from top): DIY Ringmat top side, DIY Ringmat platter side, Original Thorens mat and Drawing paper used in the project.





I built this a year ago and it replaced my original Thorens mat. Lately, I decided to share this to any DIYer out there who might want to give it a try and see if they have the same improvement results. Below is a short comparison of the sound of this DIY Ringmat to the original Thorens mat:

Offenbach - Caite Parisienne (RCA Living Stereo Red Seal LSC-1817)

The Thorens mat is more livelier, a tad forward and little faster than the DIY platter. The DIY mat in comparison is a little laid back, more quiet, with speed that is a little slower compared to the Thorens mat. The bass, however, is a little more defined. I have exchanged the 2 mats several times and it was hard to favor one from the other. There were some differences but the difference wasn’t that big. I would say that for an untrained ears they will not discern the difference. I was a little worried. It has been a year now since I have been using this DIY permanently and during that time I knew it simply blew away the Thorens mat and all the other DIY mats I tried. Perhaps I was more biased during that time since I was so proud of making them myself. Anyways, I favor the Thorens mat a little bit because of the extended highs.

Suzanne Vega – Solitude Standing, track Tom’s Diner (A&M RML 53233 SP-5136)

The Thorens mat has that irritating “Ssssss” sound and is a little thick and hard in the upper bass. The DIY? none of that “Ssssss”, hardness and thickness in the upper bass. The DIY is also more quieter. The recording space is more realistically presented. Could it be that in the Offenbach comparison that livelier sound of the Thorens mat was inaccurate high? Winner – DIY mat.


Little River Band – Greatest Hits, track Reminiscing (EMI ST-12247)

I played the record using the DIY mat first and it was great, then I played it again with the Thorens mat and didn’t like the sound. I did not even finish the track and switched back to the DIY mat again just to make sure I am not biased – yes, I like the DIY better. The drums sound is more accurate and it wasn’t overpowered by the electric bass guitar. It’s more enjoyable. It’s more balanced and just right. The Thorens mat has a much more unruly bass that seems to resonate back and forth my listening room. It’s not good. Winner – DIY – by a wide margin.

All Mornin’ Long – The Red Garland Quintet (Original Jazz Calssic OJC-293)

Playing “They can’t take that away from me”, the Thorens mat’s highs break up easily. There is a feeling of more live sound but the treble is not that airy. The trumpet may be good to a non-audiophile but “no-thanks” for me. I will not say anything more, after 2 minutes I put the DIY mat back and played it again from the start – ahh – the trumpet – you can hear the air coming out of the horn and I am not imagining it. The cymbal is very good and the transient attack of the drums is just right. Imaging is superb. Winner – DIY?

To summarize:
I haven’t heard any Ringmat product but this DIY version that I made was far better than the original Thorens mat. I have also compared the DIY to some DIY platter mats found in The Analog Department but this DIY version that I made has the more positive effect (at least in my system). I have also made several versions of this DIY using the same cork and drawing paper but this configuration has by far produced the best results. Please remember that I have only tried this using my Thorens table. I am not sure how it will sound in a solid platter non-spring suspension table. If you do, please share your experience as well.

For those of you who are willing to try it I encourage you to try different versions – size and locations of the rings on both sides of the patter. In my experience, a small difference in the spacing of the rings produced different tones – probably because of different tightness of the suspension. The nice thing about it is you can tweak it and adjust the tone according to your preference or what you need.