Quote Originally Posted by 02audionoob View Post
The dots are the little blurred dashes. This photo was taken in low light, so they moved pretty far during the photo, thus making long streaks. The extra grip they provide seems to translate into a bit of grip on the sound. I think it sort of cleans up lower frequencies a tiny bit. But it also adds a touch of bass, something on which I had mixed emotions.

I did some comparisons both ways, thinking I could leave dots ready to use by simply flipping the platter. But it wasn't that easy in the end. I had to add a 3rd shim with the dots to get the tracking angle the same as it was with the felt mat and 2 shims and thus make for a meaningful comparison.
Where you having problems with your mat? I've got that felt mat which I don't like. I thought about making a mat out of an old suede coat I have but I think I will purchase a mat. I've tried it without a mat on the acrylic platter but you have to be very careful taking it off the platter or the album can get scratched if one does not like to turn off the table to turn over the album like me. Any way your I deal sounds like a good one...love to hear the end result of your study.