Perhaps a solution would be to keep the old mat and put it on top of the red one when not in use it shouldn’t matter when in use
Lyndon
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I wouldn’t be too keen on the bright red mat + writing. Many years ago I had one of these:
The red stuff is suede leather, and it’s glued down. It took me a while to come round to the idea, although most people who saw it, and often felt it, seemed to like it.
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I must be the only person on this, or other fora that doesn’t object to the colour.
It and the font of the name are a brand identity.
In the same way that when I chose my speakers, I asked dearly beloved if she could live with them, her response they are for listening to…
Also for me there is the nostalgia. Dad’s original “hifi” consisted of a Collaro turntable and Studio Transcriptor tape deck. They were cream plastic/bakelite with maroon controls.
I admit I might be put off if the mat was cream, so on that basis, the company made a good decision.
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I’m now feeling a bit bad because Lyndon is really asking about the sound.
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Exactly, as per Christopher M
We have a plan to negate the appearance so it’s just down to SQ then
Lyndon
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As they have resurrected the Collaro name they also seem to be using something similar to their traditional colour scheme! However the rubber mat on my 4T200 is slightly less bright in colour.
For those of you that don’t know the 4T200 was Collaro’s competitor to the Garrard 301. It lacks variable speed and a cast chassis, but it does have an 8Lb platter!
The new mat is said to be suitable for the Garrard, however the existing heavy rubber unit damps ringing in the platter, not sure this one would.
My curiosity about the possible sound improvement has overridden my strong misgivings about the cosmetics of the Collaro mat. Pressed by family on ideas for a Christmas present I figure it’s gotta be a better punt than more socks or a sweater!
Santa has thus been mobilised.
I figure I’ll just keep the original Linn black felt map to lay on top of it when the TT is not in use…
It looks a whole lot better on the platter, trust me. The red is not pillar-box. I thought I’d dislike the look, but…it’s OK.
And as someone above suggested, the Collaro logo is only on one side…
My initial listens today, but sadly shortened, are that it brings a clarity to the party. Liked it in the brief period I had to sit and listen. More focused. But more listening time to be done…
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Signals have tried it on a number of decks and for the money its a no brainer as an upgrade…not sure on the colour, but we all have a choice.
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I have one and like it a lot. I just leave a record on the turntable to hide the colour, but as has been said it is not a bright in your face red anyway.
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Purchased one at CymbiosIs myself this last weekend. Even my wife, who is usually fairly cynical about these things, could hear a clear improvement.
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I LOVE the red. 
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Knowing what a discerning chap you are James, perhaps I should give one of these mats a little listen.
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For £99 its a steal…heard it at the Signals rega bash
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What about VTA? Is the mat any thicker than the standard one?
@Dave the red Carolado matt is thiner than the standard Linn Matt, owners of Aro arms it is suggested that VAT is adusted
I have Ekos SE and works perfectly moved from Ittock
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Thanks Antz, I use an Ekos SE too so that’s good news.
I see they also do a white mat (The Tempest). Anyone tried that?
It seems the red mat is for suspended type turntables and the white one for non suspended transcription turntables, both are the same £99 price.
Correct Gazza. I spoke to the guy at Collaro who said the red one is best for belt driven TTs.