@lewm - I also mentioned the Audiogoner’s mat, the My Mat in my original post. |
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. |
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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@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?). |
@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. |
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! |
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. |
@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. |
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.... |
@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... |
@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! |
