Thought I'd share this here!

For the first time ever, I am completely perplexed as to what to say about an addition to my system. This isn’t because its crap, its because I can’t think of a way to describe the effect it has had. I originally heard one of these on a visit to Phonomac’s abode. His system is all solid state and I wrongly assumed that the stunningly focused sound he had achieved was purely down to that. I became suspicious of my own equipment, thinking I hadn’t bought as well as I thought when I returned home and listened to my own.

I borrowed Phonomacs AT33PTG believing the ZYX wasn’t performing at its best and I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. It’s a Hi-Fi bargain BUT it didn’t make my hair stand on end. SO, I went off to Jimbo’s for a listen to his system and heard this really focussed system that was incredibly revealing and focussed. I went home and felt like there was a huge change needed. I contemplated selling the Firebottle Monoblocks and the ZYX but I just couldn’t see either of those things being the issue. The Slagle Preamp had a reputation for exposing the leading edge “too Much” (not the case here thus far) So what’s the issue!!!!!

I looked at my Japanese Pioneer speakers and thought, “Ah! It must be those”. Jim and Angus BOTH have very excellent Speakers. So off to eBay I went but nothing took my fancy. I still wasn’t convinced either. CD was still razor sharp and heartless so what’s going on here?

I sat there for a couple of hours just thinking about how two totally different systems at Jim’s and Angus’s had such clear sharp lines and transparency and then it hit me, They had both waxed lyrical about their platter mat!. Jim had the VPI standard mat and loved it, Angus had a Tenuto and loved it. I decided to take a punt and buy something new. I found Guy’s number on his Puresound website and tentatively enquired about a “B” stock Tenuto Platter Mat. Luckily, Guy was a pleasure to deal with and we made a deal. A couple of days later the perfect looking platter mat arrived. I placed it on the SP10 like a new crown for the king. I let my Valves warm up and played the first track.

Ben Howard – Old Pine

It was a jaw on the floor moment. Nuances, Transients, atmosphere and…….FOCUS

I played more albums and everything was improved. EVERYTHING It was a bigger jump in Sound quality than when I swapped the ZYX for the Ortofon Vienna a few weeks ago. A tighter, rapier sharp focus, zero smudge and haze, Higher levels of Bass definition. It was glorious!!! Mids are so much cleaner and there’s plenty of timbre and resonance from the instruments. Divine! Its such a big improvement. Its very transparent and neutral.

I have never been so surprised by the difference one piece of kit has made. IMO the Tenuto is an absolute must have if your TT can take its considerable weight. Its made everything better without any downside that I can conjure up whilst writing. Ive lost no bass extension, no sweetness, nothing its all just so much clearer and well defined. I feel like my system is now 4K resolution!

Its solved any issues I had previously and I am now hearing the truth about the system I

I have no idea how these changes are the product of 5mm of gunmetal being added to the SP10 but there is no doubt in my mind that this is the result of the platter mat.

There are alternatives, I haven’t heard everything out there but I don’t care. This is the answer. If you feel your platter mat isn’t up to the task, I suggest you give Guy a call and let him fix it for you …. Permanently