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Turntable mat journey

I have now tried 4 mats and although my current mat (Herbie’s Way Excellent Mat) solved my problem of static pulling the mat up while flipping records, I would like to get the sound designed by Rega (P8) with it’s felt mat back or as similar to it as possible. Also my current one is a white silicon and attracts anything and cleaning it is not fun or easy. Supposedly, the ideal mat is like shelf paper, and one of my 4 was the TEAC Washi mat which sounded fine, but that also came off the table- not sure if it was static or because it was large in diameter than a record. I haven’t seen any other like this. I also tried a VPI rubber backed felt mat that I though would stick better to the platter, but that one also came off when flipping.

Please don’t recommend ridiculously priced ones over $200 - I’d prefer to be at $100 or less if possible. I saw a very thin carbon fiber mat <.5mm called extreme phono speed mat that said it can be placed over a felt mat; in fact they sell it as an option with a felt mat- maybe this is the answer. It’s $89 by itself (I wouldn’t need another felt mat that adds $20).

Any thoughts of having 2 separate layers not stuck together as a mat?
Has anyone tried this or a thin carbon fiber mat, or have any recommendation? I’ve seen some older discussion threads talking about the My Mat made by a fellow Audiogoner, but from what it looks like, it would be similar to the one I have now since it is in the polymer type category.

I know this is a 1st world problem, but someone must have a solution. Thanks for your ideas.
sokogear
sokogear OP
1,095 posts
 
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's avatar
bkeske
5,597 posts
 
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.
au_lait
338 posts
 
Funk Firm Achromat
tablejockey
3,888 posts
 
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.
sokogear OP
1,095 posts
 
@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...
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