Funk Firm Achromat
Available in 2 thicknesses 5.0mm and 3.0mm
Achromat is the natural progression from the original acrylic interface invented by Arthur Khoubesserian back in 1979.
Refining the theory he subsequently launched Achromat in 2005.
Ongoing refinements in composition and application means that Achromat is now more universal and better than ever.
Theory:
The principle is one of absorbing the vibrational energy released as the stylus scrubs the groove.
In fact the stylus accelerates at up to 20,000g, so it is not so much a case of scrubbing as pummelling like road hammer.
Because records are only some 2mm thick, it is easy to see that if there is no where for this energy to go it would reflect off the bottom of the record back to the stylus where it really does alters the music signal.
Site the record on a suitable support, however, and the energy can crosses into the material away from the stylus to be dissipated as heat before it gets back to the stylus.
Real world conditions mean that the mat can not that much thicker than the record itself.
So how is it possible for any mat to actually work?
Achromat is made of the ideal material there is at taking the energy away.
To deal with the thickness issue, it then has a real trick up its sleeve.
Millions of tiny bubbles within are complex pathways where the energy gets lost as heat.
In this way, Achromat acts like a considerably thicker mat and its job is complete.
No other mat is like it and simple A-B comparisons can demonstrate that, whilst longer term listening allows subtle nuances as well as greater bass intelligibility to be appreciated.
In 2009, first, Achromat came top in a mat comparison in HiFi Choice.
It then won the Gold Award for Accessory against all comers.
And of course there are the testimonials from happy customers.
No wonder Achromat is the World's top selling mat.
In use...
Two thicknesses are available: 3mm and 5mm.
Achromat 5mm: The 5mm is the standard recommended thickness.
In tests it consistently comes top over the 3mm mat.
Not by a lot but it is noticeable.
So wherever possible go for the 5mm.
Achromat 3mm: Why the 3mm, then? Many people's turntables use arms with no VTA capability, whatsoever, notably Rega 250s & 300s. These turntables use felt mats that are about 3mm thick and so a special version of Achromat has been made available as a convenient way to get most of the benefits that Achromat has to offer.
Another reason is for those decks with short spindles and a clamp; the 5mm would cause problems.
It has to be noted, however, that when "tnt" reviewed the mat under such circumstances, they concluded that the benefits of the thicker mat outweighed the benefits of the thinner mat with the clamp!
Nevertheless, the choice is left for you to make.
Achromat 1200: Some turntables, (Garrard 301 / 401 and Technics SL1200), have a platter with a machined lip which precludes the use of the normal Achromats (which have a diameter of 293mm).
For these turntables we have launched a version of the mat with an undercut to overcome the problem.
Incredible as it sounds, Achromat really does benefit every kind of turntable from the most modest to truly exotic creations costing £10,000 and upwards.
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