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Audioquest Sorbogel Mat

The exceptional damping ability of Sorbothane results in:
Dramatically smother, more natural sound
Tighter, better defined bass
Open, three dimensional soundstage

Who can use the AQ Record Mat?
Anyone whose turntable has a metal or glass platter will greatly improve the sound of their system with the AQ Record Mat. It is the single most cost effective improvement you can make to your record playback system.

Why do I need this Record Mat?
When you play a record the cartridge stylus presses against the vinyl with a pressure of many tons per square inch. This enormous force transfers energy into the record, causing it to vibrate, This means that the cartridge stylus is now trying to track a moving and vibrating groove. To make matters worse the turntable platter also vibrations will be read by the stylus and heard by you as distortion. The AQ Record Mat uses a special synthetic compound called Sorbothane to prevent vibration in record and platter.

What is so special about the AQ record mat?
The AQ Record Mat is made of Sorbothane, a unique synthetic compound. Sorbothane is made up of very long molecules. When vibration is absorbed from the record and the platter, the energy wiggles these very long molecules which converts the energy of vibration into heat. The net effect is that vibration is absorbed into the mat, where in effect it disappears. Other mats can't absorb as much energy and vibration as the Record Mat and worse yet, bounce back much of what they absorb into the record, actually causing more distortion.

What kind of improvement will I hear?
Many improvements will be noticeable immediately. The sound will be smoother, cleaner and more natural. The Bass will be clearer and better defined. Individual sounds will be more tightly located and yet appear to be playing against a larger and quieter background. All your records will be much more listenable, and you will find yourself getting lost in the music instead of your equipment.