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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
guy-incognito's avatar
guy-incognito
169 posts
 
I'm now using the Teac Washi mat with my Planar 8 and I no longer have any static issues or mat lift issues. It's roughly the same size as my platter (which is smaller than a record) so I don't understand why people are having issues picking up the mat with the record given the record overhangs about a 1/4 inch. 

If I hadn't blown my money on a Planar 8 before I read the review about the Stein Perfect mat being equal to $10k component upgrade I would have kept the Planar 2 and gone that direction. Missed opportunity I suppose. 
sokogear
1,097 posts
 
@guy-incognito you are joking, right, $10K component upgrade for $650 in a mat?

$$ spent on a P8 is not “blown”. IMHO it is the best value at its price point be a lot. The arm alone is almost worth the price. It is fantastic.

too bad my Washi mat kept coming up- I guess it was static and not size, but I seem to remember it being hard to get the record up without the mat, and I didn’t think it was static. Oh well...

I think it may have been slightly thinner than my thicker Rega mat (not standard issue I don’t believe), I think I kept it from my old P5 when I bought the special mat, or the P8 came with the upgraded one. Not sure.
lohanimal
659 posts
 
How about a Ringmat?
sokogear
1,097 posts
 
If I remember correctly, that also had to be glued to the platter, which is what I was originally trying to avoid. If I was going to tape or glue something down, I might as well keep the Rega mat.
guy-incognito's avatar
guy-incognito
169 posts
 
Um... yes, I was being facetious.

That said, the recent glowing review above does compare adding a Stein mat to be in the same league as adding $10k worth of system upgrades. So what do I know? Probably no hyperbole there.
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