I've owned a bunch of Rega turntables over the years and currently have a P8 as a second turntable. If you're not concerned about sound quality, there are plenty of options. But if you want to preserve the sound of the stock P8 - which is understandable because it sounds best that way - there are not really any viable options. A solid mat like the Funk Achromat will solve your static issue completely, is within your price range, and some people even think they sound good. (I don't, I think they sound awful). A cork/rubber mat from ebay is cheap and will sound adequate (if different) and solve the static issue. You could also try the original mat for Nottingham Analogue turntables, which is quite good and a bit closer to the sound of the stock Rega mat: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/202958473635?hash=item2f414489a3:g:ljUAAMXQkl9RbWsp&frcectupt=trueAlternatively you could try some thin double sided tape on your platter to hold down the stock mat. Also, vacuum clean your records frequently, which does tend to reduce (but not eliminate) the static issue. |
Wow Ross - thanks for the quick reply. So what do you use on your P8? Do you know what the Nottingham mat is made from and if it is available in the US?
Also, I don’t think it is recommended to put tape on the platter to hold down the mat, because when you remove it, you’ll be left with some adhesive residue on it. That is however what Rega said when I for a recommendation.
I keep all liquid off of my records and dust with a carbon fiber brush before playing. Records are almost all perfectly clean. |
I don't think there is "a solution". I think mats are much like seasoning on food; each of us will prefer a slightly different flavor. For that reason, and given your low budget, why not use some creativity and try various available materials? One of the members here sells his own mat, which apparently is pretty good and costs less than your upper limit. Wish I could recall his name, but maybe he will see this thread. I will say that I tried the Herbie's mat, and it definitely did sound better to my ears than the standard rubber mats on Japanese vintage turntables, but it did not end up being my "favorite", one of which is the Boston Audio Mat2, now discontinued but available under another name from another company. The new version may cost more than $200, unfortunately. Maybe you could find a BA Mat for under $200, second hand.
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Herbie’s is my current mat @lewm.that’s why I asked about the thin carbon fiber mat on top of felt. I wonder how much that thin layer would change the sound?
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@lewm - I also mentioned the Audiogoner’s mat, the My Mat in my original post. |
when I had my Rega with the glass plater I used a suede mat worked great and no static and it was about $30 bucks |
Try a thin 10" vinyl record. |
Why bother with felt? Buy a magnesium mat! I have one. Very thin and dead - no ringing! Cost about $90. In use on my Ariston RD11 TT (two narrow rubber rings on the platter). |
My other Ariston RD11S has a Hiraoka Diskmat SE-22. This is a hard rubber composite mat, dense and not flexible. Bought it back in the 80’s for $20. Too heavy to work on the other Ariston. |
I've sold out of the MyMats. |
@slaw - congratulations. In your research designing your mat, what do you think would come closest to felt that has no static issues? I want to maintain the sound Rega intended as closely as possible.
At this point, I am leaning towards just getting some two sided tape that leaves no residue if removed, like the glue on posts it notes. It doesn't have to be very strong to counteract the force generated by the static between the record and the felt. I've heard shelf paper is best, but the only one like that is the Washi from Teac, and that was too big and also came off when flipping a record (maybe it had some static too?). |
If you’re not a Rega purist, there is another option: replace the stock platter with the Delrin one made by the Groovetracer company. Delrin is an excellent platter material (research will reward you with the answer to why that is so), and requires no platter mat---the LP sits directly on the platter.
Before immediately rejecting the idea, do an internet search for reviews of the platter. It is available in both black and white, and retails for $350. More than you want to spend on a mat, but it not only makes a mat unnecessary, it also provides an upgrade to the sound of the table.
Groovetracer also makes a fantastic Rega arm counterweight, as well as a replacement sub-platter (the part the platter sits on), precision machined from aluminum (most Regas sub-platters are---yuck---plastic). |
@bdp24 = if I had a lower end Rega with an inferior platter, I might consider it, but the P8 platter is excellent. I wouldn't say I am a Rega purist as I only have their turntable, never their cartridge, but am very undecided as to whether I should change from Herbie's. which I like very much, there is just something about the stock mat (maybe it is a bias) that sounds like it is doing nothing to the record. |
Fair enough, @sokogear. Roy Gandy designs his Rega products in a holistic manner, which no doubt accounts for your preference for the sound of the table with it’s stock mat.
Is it the matter of static with the stock mat that is the problem? Felt is well known to aggravate the problem of static with vinyl LP’s. Lots of felt mat-lovers use pieces of double-sided tape on the underside of their mats, to prevent the LP from lifting them off.
If you have tried only the Zerostat, consider getting yourself the far-superior Furutech Destat III, the first product I have found to complete eliminate static. Hold the LP in one hand, "spray" each side of the LP, and Voila!---static completely eliminated. Unfortunately, the Destat III is not cheap---around $300, I believe (I got an incredible deal for mine on ebay---$200!), but imo well worth it’s price. |
As I mentioned above @bdp24 - I am leaning towards getting some thin low residue double sided tape and going back to the felt mat, but I am hoping someone knows of maybe a smaller version of the TEAC Washi mat or something less bouncy and more like the "fluffy" mat.
I'll let everyone know when I make up my mind. Thanks for all the input! |
@sokogear, I personally wouldn't use the felt mat. It's a static producer and a dust magnet. It does little to nothing to decouple a record from the bearing. I don't subscribe to the camp that believes since Rega supplied a felt mat that it's the best mat for that tt. I have a customer with a RP10 who uses two MyMats and he's very happy. I have an Achromat (5mm) and really liked it on my Townshend Rock 7. There is a new Destat III at www.partsconnexion.com fro around $270.00 shipped |
The lastest version of Boston Audio is The Mat from Sakura Systems. "Boston Audio has been known for their pure carbon graphite turntable mats and insulation accessories, many of them received rave reviews and awards worldwide. After some hiatus period, Boston Audio has teamed up with SAKURA SYSTEMS and now proudly introduces "The Mat", the culmination of our experiences through developping Mat 1 & 2. By incorporating different carbon graphite material, we successfully achieved the identical performance of Mat 2 with less thickness (4 mm) and the reduced price."
diameter/293mm
thickness/4mm
weight/454grms
New cost $250, but you can find used cheaper |
I have tried numerous mats for my Rega, including the Herbie's...Funk Firm's Achromat is the clear winner to my ears. One caveat: I have not tried slaw's My Mat. |
Thanks @middlemass - if I was going to put an attachment to my platter, I would just tape the Rega felt mat.
Hey @chakster - have you ever heard of the extreme phono speed mat? It is less than 1/2 mm height and is designed to go over felt, and is $89. Have you (or anyone else) tried this? This could be a solution, and it is carbon fiber, so no static or dirt, which could be ideal, with some absorption in the felt.
The one you mention, BA “The Mat” is too high and heavy for my turntable (and too expensive),
The guy at Music Direct didn’t know much about the Extreme Phono Speed Matand he recommended a cheaper ($30) cork/rubber mat, which I think could add to the sound. |
Your turntable is way different than all my 6 turntables. My choice: The Mat from Sakura Systems, SAEC SS-300, MICRO SEIKI CU-180 ...
New The Mat is much thinner than discontinued BA mats.
Used The Mat is what you could try to find for 30-50% less than new.
Regarding weight I just want to remind you that even 1.8 kg CU-180 designed for belt drive Micro Seiki turntables, so The Mat (454g) is not a problem for any belt drive.
I’ve been using felt mats for 20 years, cork and some very thin mats too. They called slip mats. It’s a joke compared to 3 reference mats I have mentioned.
A friend recently compared stock Technics (SP-20) rubber and two type of felt mats to SAEC SS-300 and ended up with $350 SAEC. |
@chakster - are you saying The Mat is 1 lb and 4 mm high or thinner and lighter?
I know you’re not a Rega fan, and the height and weight won’t work- standard mat is 2 mm and weighs very little. Rega philosophy is low weight- no clamps, record weights, etc.
I just read a negative review of the one I mentioned in my previous post, the extreme phono one that supposedly has static issues and lifts off when flipping records.....I guess I am back to the double sided tape with the Rega one I have, which is thicker than standard issue one. |
Hey @Rossb - I inquired about the Nottingham (now sold by Origin Live) and they told me that they have static issues and sometimes lift off the record as does the Rega.....
Oh well, off to Home Depot to look for some thin, no residue, double sided tape. Always open to suggestions though.... |
Found double sided scotch tape - the weakest adhesive I think you can find that is easily removable with no residue. Consider the problem solved, but I'll be glad to hear other recommendations that haven't already been discussed. Thanks to all. |
I have the Extreme phono speed mat and really saw no improvement with it's use. I also have a thick Rega felt mat and surprisingly gives me the best sound on my Well-Tempered Amadeus turntable. Although, as you state it has issues with static cling to tecords. Come to think of it, I haven't tried the speedmat on top of the felt mat. Have to give it a try.
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Glad to hear the double sided tape has resolved the issue. If you like the Rega sound, the stock mat really is the best sounding solution IMO, and I have a cupboard full of mats to prove it.
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My Rega mat is the heavier duty one. Not sure if it came standard on my P8 or if it is the upgraded one I bought when I had my P5, which may be the greatest value in Rega’s history IMHO.
@mr_m - the extreme mat is designed to go over felt because it is so thin. From what I read it has static issues and lifts up as well.
@rossb - I’ve gone through 4 mats now and read about several others and I’m back to the Rega, originally not wanting to attach anything to the platter to be able to switch back and forth. I only went back to the Rega because I thought with the increased humidity, the static problem would go away. It didn’t, but I liked the SQ better than Herbie’s Way Excellent (which is fine, really), so this whole process started over again. It is now put to bed. I was just trying to solve a problem, not improve the sound by changing Roy’s design. I’m not a tweaker of products themselves (counterweights, fuses, platters), but I don’t doubt that some people like the way these things change the sound. I want it to sound like it is supposed to. I do heavily use vibration control devices as they are external to the components, and IMHO make a HUGE difference.
$2.97 is my cheapest audio expenditure ever, and it works! Whoever thought the Tru Valu Hardware store was an audiophile supplier with Scotch double sided tape?
Rega mat looks like it is supposed to also.... |
I’m just happy to have two MyMat’s from @slaw
Really incredible. After trying many and none at all (including the built-in ‘mat’ on the SOTA Sapphire). The MyMat really ‘opened-up’ the music and ‘releases’ it from the platter. Steve ( @slaw ) even convinced me to not clamp my LP’s with his mat. Hesitant to do that, but he was right. Unless I have to, my LP’s are spun unclamped now, and his mat frees the music and provides an abundance of air around the music. |
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So you have Rega P8, but you want to swap mats to emulate the sound of the original felt mat?
Oookkaayy.....
To much time spent on audio forums, and not enough listening to an already fine setup. |
@bkeske - as @slaw stated he sold out of the MyMats.
@au_lait - as I believe was previously mentioned, the Funk Firm requires attaching it to the platter, which is what I tried to avoid doing with the felt mat to prevent it from lifting off the platter. I might as well attach the Rega...
@tablejockey - I guess you didn't read the original post - I was trying to find something that sounded as good (or better) that didn't lift up with the record due to static. I was hoping to uncover a new option beyond what I already tried with this conversation, but since nothing has appeared, I bought some double sided scotch tape and taped the Rega felt mat to the platter. Problem solved, but now I will have to deal with removing the tape if/when I need to take the mat off. Oh well... |
My reading comprehension often fails me.
Tough to find, but a pure cork mat. Most are a blend of cork/rubber. The Project cork mat is the next best thing. Used one when I had a Rega.
Didn't stray from the Rega sound. |
@sokogear @bkeske - as @slaw stated he sold out of the MyMats. You should contact him. I got my second one when he let me know his material was almost depleted and offered a second (doubled-up), but I believe he may still have some. You might have to pay a premium now though. |
@tablejockey - no worries - I don't read all the posts when I respond all the time. Cork tends to crumble over time, but I know it sounds ok, that's why I didn't seriously consider it. Music Direct has several and recommended a cork/rubber blend that doesn't crumble, but I would not want anything like rubber that has resonances.
@bkeske - he posted that he has none on this discussion! |
