Turntables are very basic and easy to fix. SOTA has excellent customer service and sells parts for their legacy tables.
Turntable Advice?
My SOTA Star Sapphire motor has gone bonkers, so I'm planning its replacement. Hoping to get some thoughts on my options - I think some of you enjoy a challenge like this. Major components are Aerial 10T's, Classe 6 Mk II pre-amp, Classe DR-150 amp. Primary listening is well-recorded jazz, blues and solo guitar.
I could either re-use or sell my SME V arm. I'm hoping I won't have to shell out more than another $1,500 either way. Here's what I'm thinking:
1) Get a new table and cart for the SME, have it all set up by a local pro
2) Buy an old SOTA and cannibalize the motor
3) Sell the SME V and go with:
I could either re-use or sell my SME V arm. I'm hoping I won't have to shell out more than another $1,500 either way. Here's what I'm thinking:
1) Get a new table and cart for the SME, have it all set up by a local pro
2) Buy an old SOTA and cannibalize the motor
3) Sell the SME V and go with:
- New Music Hall mmf-9.3 with Goldring Eroica LX (no head amp needed - Classe has a MC input)
- New Music Hall mmf-9.3 with upgraded cartridge (suggestions?)
- Rega RP6 with Exact 2 cartridge
- Clearaudio Concept or Emotion w/ dedicated arm and cartridge
- Used table/arm (as long as it's durable)
- ...
- 33 posts total
Yeah, call SOTA and discuss options. They do a lifetime trade-in and full service on older tables. |
Have to agree with all the above, your SOTA table and arm combo are much better than anything on your list. Just checked SOTAs web site and they offer the Eclipse package for less than $1,100.00 which includes the Eclipse motor, Condor power supply and the Roadrunner speed controller and these should be quite the upgrade in your vinyl set up as it exists now. Enjoy the music and good luck. |
What tomwh said. Repair your turntable and add the Phoenix controller system. It will be a huge upgrade, in my opinion, because, in my opinion, a major issue with the old Sota Sapphire was speed stability. I owned one for 10 years before figuring that out. Also, you say the motor has "gone bonkers". Can you explain further? If the motor still operates but speed is very inaccurate (I mean beyond the slight wavering of pitch), then the problem may lie in the electronics that control the motor, not in the motor per se. That would be a win/win for you, if you send it to Sota. They could repair the problem by installing the Phoenix designed controller in place of the original electronics. Also, by all means keep the SME V vs any of the tonearms that come with the mediocre turntables you listed. And finally, get a new cartridge if that would please you, or don't. That part is icing on the cake. |
- 33 posts total