he TA-TS30UN Un-Ryu Washi Turntable Slipmat from Teac is a unique answer to a common turntable problem—static and the accumulation of dust. Turntable mats are most commonly made of silicon rubber or cork for their shock-absorbing qualities. However, Teac believes one of the most important factors in choosing a material for a record mat is its ability to reduce static and limit the accumulation of dust. After much testing, Teac has created a mat using traditional Japanese washi. Washi is a paper made from the fibers of mulberry trees. It is naturally durable and has been used in paper currency for centuries. The paper is handmade by skilled craftspeople, resulting in a unique watermark pattern on every sheet. Teac has combined this "Un-Ry Shi" with stone paper for the core material. This results in a turntable mat that is thin, uniformly flat, restricts vibration, reduces static electricity, and prevents dust from accumulating.

"Un-Ryu Shi", characterized by a beautiful watermark of the fiber, has been made for centuries at the foot of the Shikoku Mountains where fine quality Mulberry trees are produced. The TA-TS30UN employs the "Un-Ryu Shi" on both sides of the stone paper—one side is white, and the other side is light gray. Audio performance is equal on both sides.

Durable Stone Paper Core

Anti-warpage, or planarity, is another essential issue for a turntable sheet to keep the stylus pressure equal. In order to satisfy this condition that is not done by washi alone, the TA-TS30UN employs a synthetic "Stone paper" made from 80% of calcium carbonate and 20% of high-density polyethylene for the core material. The stone paper has higher specific weight, compared to conventional paper made from pulp, which means it gives moderate weight for a thin turntable sheet, and it keeps planarity, even under high-humidity conditions.