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A. Introduction and Design Concept
Recent listening panel tests show that correctly coupling LPs to their turntable platter can yield bigger sonic dividends than upgrading from a $2000 to a $5000 cartridge. Two very recent breakthrough ideas have made this possible:
- Our first tests showed conclusively that record mats and record weights must be optimized together, not separately.
- Mounting an LP on tiny microdot supports drains the vinyl’s sound-muddying resonances far more effectively than mounting the disc on any full platter mat, as demonstrated clearly in our subsequent listening experiments.
These two conceptual breakthroughs led to careful testing to optimize every detail of the record weight and mounting dot geometry, the record weight mass, the choice of material for both the weight and the microdots, and the fine-tuning of mechanical impedance coupling between the dots and the record. Our final Record Coupling System consists of:
- An optimized five microdot array bonded under an 8" thin polymer film ring.
- A unique 3" brass toroid record weight with machined-in micro points to couple to the record label, and with carefully optimized brass alloy, mass and geometry.
- A removable maple jig for centering the brass weight.
It only takes 30 seconds of listening to hear that this Record Coupling System transforms the sound of any turntable and cartridge. Specifically, the results are new, extraordinarily clean definition in the deepest bass, a radical un-smearing of the treble, plus extra warmth, and unsuspected harmonic detail in the midrange.
B. Installation and Use
- Remove any existing platter mat and any center washer, particularly any factory-installed rubber platter surface even if it’s glued on (as on vintage turntables). The IRC System works correctly only on bare platters.
- Handle the clear plastic mat gently. The microdots can be damaged or scraped off by rough handling.
- Center the clear plastic mat on your turntable platter with microdots down. This orientation sounds better; it also protects the microdots.
- Put your record on the platter and drop the maple centering jig onto the turntable spindle.
- Drop the toroidal brass record weight down over the centering jig with the three points touching the record label.
- If your previous mat was thicker than 1/64", you really should readjust VTA or shim up your arm base to compensate for the lowered height of the record surface.
FREE TIP: Before placing the record on the platter, we recommend brushing the underside with our Static Draining Brush. This avoids having the mat stick electrostatically to the record when you lift it off the platter. Moreover, neutralizing static on both sides of the record yields greater sonic improvement than just draining static from the play side.
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