Turntable mats have been always a big discussion how they influence the sound. The interaction between the record and the surface can be tracked very easily by the supersensitivity of a good pick up cartridge. Common felt mats give a smooth contact between record and platter but has the disadvantage with static. That means that feltmats often collect a lot of dust which can be then transfered to the record. Also the damping ability is very limited which can be a problem with metal platters. Thick rubbermats overdamp the record and have an isolation effect which leaves the static on the record and hearable noise clicks are the result.
Leather and Cork are 2 different but very interesting options to upgrade the sound quality. Resonances are damped more effectively than felt, they keep dust away and they have also enough contactivity to avoid static. What is better depends on taste and the actual platter design.A very cost effective way to improve the sound and have less noise by static and dust. You will hear a difference!
