Mat for Rega P10


I decided to start this discussion to hear different experiences from Rega RP10 and P10 users. I know Rega does not suggest replacing their own, supplied with turntable, mat as doing so can degrade the sound but I have to say that I am loyal opposition to that concept, looking for replacement ASAP.

I know Framer recommended the Stein Music The Perfect Interface Carbon mat but $625 for mat is quite steep I think. Even the cheapest one is $250 and I do not consider It a bargain. 

Does anybody here use either of those two mats and can share some insight as to why they are so expensive and if they really make that much of a difference?

arturgorniak
OK - I just came back from my friend who owns spectacular system where we had a chance to compare the $650 Stein Music The Perfect Interface Pi Carbon Signature to my $30 Teac Washi. 
He has amazing system in the large - dedicated room - The beauty of his set up is that the TT is set behind the listening chair so whoever operates it, is out of sight the person who listen.
Great set-up for experimentation! 
He uses SME 30/12 with 12" SME V arm and Soundsmith Hyperion cartridge. Dartzeel pre-amp with built in custom tune phono stage and Zeel's mono blocks feeding Wilson Alexx speakers.
So I brought over my el-chipo Teac asking him to switch mats without telling me.
My job was to identify any differences with a hope of getting consistent results and point to the specific mat.
It was refreshing to realize that neither me nor the owner of this high end system could hear ANY difference!!!
Once again, we have proven that most justification for more expensive product happens in our brain and rarely is based on the actual superiority in quality improvements...
he was quite disappointed with the outcome....BUT he is a well prosperous lawyer so he will live....$650 - cheap change...
Me, on the other hand, super happy that I scored bargain.....mat GAME OVER! 

I am happy to report that I received Herbie's mat on Friday and it works perfectly! No static and it is a pleasure not having to worry about the mat lifting every time I change a record. As far as looks go, it looks like a record is on the platter from any distance.

It seems to sound a bit more open, but my cartridge is just about approaching the 50 hour initial burn in period, so the improvement may be due to that. 

For me, game over. Can't believe someone would spend $650 for a mat. $60 was plenty for me and I am extremely happy.

Hey Steve - you should try the tru lift arm lifter from Integrity hifi (only sell through dealers) and you won't have to sorry as much if a record is still playing. Once adjusted, it works great. Not cheap (around $300) but I really like it (except when I forget to resist it - it takes time to get used to an extra little step).
Today I received the Herbie's Grungebuster mat.  It's a no go.  I think it may be the worst sounding of all mats that I own.  It's significantly heavier than the Herbie's Way Excellent II mat.  The Grungebuster seemed to suck the life out of the music.  I also compared the Teac Washi mat to the Way Excellent II mat and again the Way Excellent II mat won.  I hear more information while retaining an engaging musical sound with the Way Excellent mat.  I think everything sounds best with that mat including soundstaging, imaging, and dynamics.  I think I would pay $150-$200 for the improvements that the WEII mat brings to the table over the others.  The fact that it's only $60 makes it a bargain.  Based on sokogear's post above on his Rega P8 and my comparison on the P10, I highly recommend the Herbie's Way Excellent II mat for both glass and ceramic platters on Rega TTs.  The Teac Washi mat took second place but imo it's a distant second.  
One more thing that I would like to add, the Herbie's website is a bit misleading in regards to their Grungebuster mat.  Last week I called their office and spoke with Robert regarding my P10 with its white ceramic platter.  He recommended the Way Excellent II mat even though the description of Grungebuster mat on their website says it's for ceramic platters.  I told him that I would order both mats and return one or both depending on how they compared to my other mats.  It turns out he was right on with his recommendation of the Way Excellent II mat.  The sound quality difference between all mats that I tried was easily heard in my system.  I used tracks off  Doug MacLeod's "There's A Time" 45rpm on the Reference Recording label for my comparison.  I'm glad I found this thread on Rega mats because I upgraded the SQ significantly from my TT for only $60.  
smatsui-forgot to thank you for introducing me to Herbie’s mat. I wouldn’t have done the research and would still be unhappy with the mat. I really am thrilled with it’s solid feel without being too heavy and complete lack of any issue changing records.

i agree with your mat analysis 100%. We’ll see if I can return the TEAC..

I would recommend taking a look at the Tru lift tonearm lifter. Can’t believe I lived without it for the +\- 20 years I’ve been using a manual table.