RP8 dustcover or not?

Hey there again.
after trying fiddling with the frame off and on, I find it to performe at it best when the outer frame is off. How come that? I guess it has to do with the different in sonic performance, when lid down or up or even moved under playback? 
I don' t know?
but I can say this: it looks much better, when it stands alone in it' s all cool looking skeleton design.
since I last was writing here, I have purchased the magnificent Ania cart, with the Rega FONO MC, and that is a match made in heaven, I can tell your guys. 
But be careful with set-up. Even if it is factory set, u need to check the alignment properly, get the anti skating right. You will gain a lot, using the time needed. As for TF, I recommend the upper range of the recommended (just a whisper below 2.0). Some reset the TF after break in time, down to 1.9 and that maybe suits some systems, but with my Lavardin combo system, I am way better of in the upper range. 

Ask Norm Cones at Stereo Squares about making an acrylic cover. He will fit your dimensions.

I had a custom cover made for my RP10 and packed the base and cover away. I checked with a number of acrylic cover company's e.g. Ginkgo and found a local cover at a 3rd of the price. It isn't as nicely finished but it does and excellent job in preventing dust pentration. You may check for someone in your area that works with plastics and acrylics.

One possibility you might consider is a custom acrylic cover that completely envelops the T/T. (The manufacturers can incorporate 1" cutouts at the back to provide exit routes for cables.)

Skeletal covers tend to be as effective as no cover at all. They might provide a degree of physical protection against cats though ;^)

I will be dealing with this issue in a few weeks when my RP10 arrives.

Even though I'd prefer to not use the outer-frame and dust cover, I likely will since my cats love sneaking into the stereo room.

You might see if there's a Ginko or similar acrylic cover that's general in size enough to fit over the skeletal part of the RP8. The Ginko cover that I bought for my Marantz TT also can cover an LP-12 or TD-125. You would obviously need one that rests atop on your TT shelf OUTSIDE of the RP8 plinth.