I recently swapped out my Rega RP6 for a Rega P10. From a sound quality perspective I’m delighted with the new turntable, but from a usability point of view my P10 is blighted by chronic static, the mat clinging to the record when most discs are removed. This never happened with the RP6, I’m assuming due to the thicker gauge mat. For reference, all LPs have be cleaned with my Okki-Nokki RCM and the records re-sleeved into quality antistatic liners.
Must admit that’s sapping the joy out of using the deck somewhat.
The dealer suggested a white Collaro mat as a replacement for the standard P10 mat, as he said this is less prone to static build up, but I’m a little hesitant at throwing a hundred notes at the problem straight away. He was saying that Collaro make the white mat for the Naia, although its unbranded for obvious reasons.
I know the obvious solution is double sided tape, but I really don’t want to resort to tape if I can avoid it.
I had the same issue with my P8.
Ditched the felt mat and got an Achromatic instead.
No negative impact on sound and no peeling LPs from the mat anymore.
I had that too. Changed for another mat, a leather one, which worked good. It was with the Rp10. With the P10, as I cleaned my lps with the Humminguru, I was quite no more this problem.
Thanks Neil. Is the P8 mat thick like the standard Rega mat or thin like the P10 / Naia?
I had an Achromat on the RP6 for a while and wasn’t a hundred percent convinced as to whether it improved anything that much - static wasn’t an issue then!
Cleaned records do not stick to my LP12 mat. They used to before I bought the Project Alu record cleaning machine. Perhaps try different cleaning fluid, Project Wash-it for e.g.
When I had an LP12 the standard felt mat had a static issue, and in some cases the LP was so firmly stuck to it that I could give the mat a shake and the disc would remain firmly stuck to it. This was a long time ago and I never bothered with a RCM, so perhaps that would have helped.
I have a P9. I use HERBIE’s Audio Mat without any issue. I think they are available in the UK. I am in NYC. The one I use is the Way Excellent model. It is about $70.
I have a few at my disposal, my own home brew based on the Londan Jazz Collector’s blog, L’Art Du Son, Clearaudio Pure Groove (which I really rate) and also Nessie Vinylin. All of which are excellent BTW.
I’ve never so much as touched the mat that came with my P10. I left it in the box and until recently using a cork-blend mat that I had for 15 years which has been swapped out for the new Stack Serene mat which is even better.
Do I still get static noise from time-to-time? Yeah, but unless you’re using something like the DS Audio de-ioniser you’ll never 100% get rid of static.
