A static magnet
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: Turntable Audio
Forum Name: High Fidelity Turntable User
Forum Description: Technical Q&A, hints and tips
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5458
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 5:06am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: A static magnet
Posted By: Guy
Subject: A static magnet
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2022 at 9:32pm
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As much as I enjoy listening to a Rega tt (which is quite a lot!) and recently making the leap from a P2 to a P8 I'm not a big fan of the wool mat they come with. It's a dry climate 8 months of the year here so static is a constant but the mat makes it even worse.
Have many people swapped their Rega supplied mat for something else?
I've been looking at Funk Firm's Achromats and wondering who else has made the switch. Did you go with a 3 mm or 5 mm? How do you like the new mat?
Cheers
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Naim Supernait 3
Rega P8
Ortofon 2M Bronze
Naim CD5x
Flatcap 2
Rotel T11 tuner
AudioQuest Rocket 88s
Audioquest Chicago interconnect
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Replies:
Posted By: GordonM
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2022 at 10:51pm
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I’m also upgraded to the P8 and ditched the Rega mat immediately for exactly the same reason. It has a tendency to stick to the record when you lift it when there’s static. I’ve used a variety of mats in the past (with a Planar 3) but got the Herbie’s Way Excellent II mat (2mm thick, 295mm diameter) to use with the P8. Very pleased with it and no static issues with the mat now. I sometimes use a Milty Zerostat 3 to zap static from records.
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Posted By: lfc jon
Date Posted: 01 May 2022 at 12:17pm
I use a leather mat 2mm thick, I have had no issues with static. I did try out other mats once but went back to the leather one. I have heard acrylic mats work well, as my platter is made of the stuff I did try without a mat but didn't hear any sonic benefits and was wary of the record slipping on the platter, you can buy them that are designed to prevent this. If static is a big issue for you try and find a mat made of Anti-Static Polycarbonate, they call it polycarbonate ESD plastic. I don't know what it will do to the sound of your turntable!!
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Reflex M, Solo (both with PSU-1) CuSat50, Lautus, Spatia & Spatia links cables. Ortofon Bronze.
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Posted By: lfc jon
Date Posted: 01 May 2022 at 2:29pm
I'm not trying to be patronising here but if you go for a hard material like an acrylic platter mat, try and find one with a recess for the record label as I've noticed some that don't and this may cause a issue with how flat your record sits on the platter. I've had a look on the internet and the common consensus is acrylic, Leather and cork platter mats all have good anti-static properties and felt ones are bad. I also had a look to see about platter mats made of anti-static polycarbonate and can't find any.
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Reflex M, Solo (both with PSU-1) CuSat50, Lautus, Spatia & Spatia links cables. Ortofon Bronze.
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Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 01 May 2022 at 8:01pm
Adding to Jon's sound advice I had an Origin Live mat which was thin and soft enough for the record to settle in it. Also reduced static buildup compared to the wool mat. I eventually replaced the platter with a substantial acrylic one that is still on there. It is rigid but has a clever recess for the label.
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Jon
Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC.
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Posted By: TheScorpionsTale
Date Posted: 04 May 2022 at 9:35pm
I'm using a 5mm Achromat on my Technics. I've not had problems with static.
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Graham
SL1200 II with SME M2-9R and various carts / Revelation M with PSU-1 / Cyrus amp, CD and streamer / Kralk Audio BC30-3 Floorstanders / Bitzie and Lautus USB
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Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 04 May 2022 at 9:55pm
Very good mat.
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Jon
Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC.
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Posted By: Guy
Date Posted: 05 May 2022 at 11:20pm
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I'm leaning towards a 2 mm mat just to keep things simple as I don't have the expertise to adjust things to compensate for a thicker mat (the Rega supplied mat is 2 mm).
Both the Origin Live and Herbie’s Way Excellent II are intriguing. I suspect I'll order both, try them on for size and keep the one I like better.
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Naim Supernait 3
Rega P8
Ortofon 2M Bronze
Naim CD5x
Flatcap 2
Rotel T11 tuner
AudioQuest Rocket 88s
Audioquest Chicago interconnect
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Posted By: lfc jon
Date Posted: 06 May 2022 at 12:01am
Good choice always trust your own ears. The VTA or vertical tracking angle is not that hard to do, but that said I'm not familiar with Rega TTs. All you are doing is setting the tonearm so that it sits level when playing a record. May I suggest youtube as on there there is are a lot of vary good videos on how to do it you may even find one for your particular TT.
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Reflex M, Solo (both with PSU-1) CuSat50, Lautus, Spatia & Spatia links cables. Ortofon Bronze.
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Posted By: Guy
Date Posted: 08 May 2022 at 7:46pm
Funny thing about any Rega TT - you don't have VTA adjustability per se. There are spacers available to assist in keeping things level though...
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Naim Supernait 3
Rega P8
Ortofon 2M Bronze
Naim CD5x
Flatcap 2
Rotel T11 tuner
AudioQuest Rocket 88s
Audioquest Chicago interconnect
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Posted By: lfc jon
Date Posted: 08 May 2022 at 8:04pm
I can't think why Rega don't have VTA adjustment they must know people will wont to use different stylus. I say I can't think but one thing springs to mint are there own stylus the same sort of size and their trying to keep things in house or they offer spacers themselves. Spacers must make things harder, I like what I had to do and that was with just using allen key.
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Reflex M, Solo (both with PSU-1) CuSat50, Lautus, Spatia & Spatia links cables. Ortofon Bronze.
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Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 08 May 2022 at 8:19pm
You are right that the Rega cartridges are shorter than most but they do sell spacers including that allows adjustment in 1mm increments.
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Jon
Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC.
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Posted By: lfc jon
Date Posted: 08 May 2022 at 8:29pm
One mm adjustments. Not good enough for fine tuning as I have had to do in the past but I suppose it's better than nothing and you can always buy a set of feeler gauges and make your own fine adjusters.
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Reflex M, Solo (both with PSU-1) CuSat50, Lautus, Spatia & Spatia links cables. Ortofon Bronze.
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