Do you use a wool record mat? Do you upgrade?


I have been in this hobby for many decades, when I hear something said to me from a professional at a store that doesn't make sense to me, I ask YOU the people in this hobby. Regarding REGA turntables do you keep the wooly mat they give you? Do you NOT upgrade the bearing system? and Isolate the table with a platform? Is it BAD OMEN to upgrade the belt, or change the platter from glass to acrylic or delrin? I would think anything that makes your table sound better for a little money would be a welcome investment. After saying all this. I use a Acrylic platter with no mat and a JA Mitchel record clamp on my REGA P3/24 with a Mapleshade ISO platform sitting on Iso blocks. The P3/24 is now dead quiet and with the bearing change (steel ball w/brass post to CZ ball w/solid steel spindle with sapphire thrust plate) It spins effortlessly and has raised the level of this table considerably. Why are some dealers so opposed to tweaks or 3rd party upgrades? My local dealer has lost me as a customer because of their ridged beliefs!
128x128mattmiller
I switched to a cork and rubber blend mat. Static electricity issues (pops..) disappeared and transparency improved.
I have two P9's. The first thing I did after acquiring each of them was ditch the wool mats - - - attracted way too much static for my taste. I replaced them with mats from Herbie's. Quite happy with the improvement.
Hey mattmiller. Sounds like your dealer must be of the same bloodline as a store owner here in Hamilton, Ontario. He wouldn't sell to a guy because he didn't like his make of car (not kidding...). He stopped talking to me when I mentioned I'd be using a bryston. I don't think he's in business anymore lol.

I'd love to drop in the 24v motor with psu into my p2. My dad made the change a while back on his p3 and couldn't believe the difference. I'm currently working on making an acrylic platform for the Rega. It's 0.75" thick and I plan to double it up. The platter sounds so good in acrylic so I thought why not make a platform out of it... The material was free so the only investment is time if it doesn't work well.

Your setup must sound glorious in its current configuration. Especially with the Mac!