I'm a SOTA owner and I'm with mijostyn. The machinery sounds better with the dust cover down. And I'm a happy camper that the preferred dust cover position keeps the LP cleaner. It's only when I'm spinning 7 inch 45's that I have the cover up. My 45's are often in terrible shape, and the lead-out grooves are usually so noisy I can't bear the din a second more than necessary.
Ok guys
My question is this, nothing major, more of a curiosity. When playing an album does it make a difference if you leave the dust cover up or down? Probably stupid question but hey there are lots of opinions out there