Sota Cosmos

@ledoux1238 , I believe if the Nova was brought up to a certain series (5/6/7?), including the maglev platter, eclipse, etc. and the aluminum sub-chassis were implemented, it would be there at Cosmos level.  (Someone with more background on that, please chime in if I'm off there.)  As I mentioned, there was some mods to the body parts necessary to accommodate the upgraded sub-chassis. I'm sure total cost is based on state of the Nova.

I believe the Onyx is an upgraded Millenia.  It had a substantial motor with dual belts, large (upgraded) platter, multi-tonearm capability, the same controller assembly and vacuum as the latest Cosmos.  Essentially twice the price as a Cosmos w/vacuum.  (no dustcover, but Ken said they could make one, I think.)

and a nice Origin Live arm last year.  Extremely happy with this setup.

That's two endorsements for an Origin tonearm. I have a MK4 Silver. Would upgrading to an Encounter be a good pairing with my Cosmos? I'll have to order a new arm board. Any noticeable differences from the SME V?

As an aside, his table body is a beautiful cocobolo; I'm going to build him a new motor cover (to replace the now plugged acrylic(?) thing...wood tbd.

That is a beautiful finish and you're a good friend. Are the wood plinths hardwood sides and a veneered top?

When I get some access to a shop, I'd like to replicate my plinth in a California Walnut, Sapele, or Rosewood (Santos)

@enobenetto My OL arm is the Enterprise MK 5 (latest version that came out Feb 25).  I do not have experience with the whole OL line, so maybe someone can provide input on the upgrade path.  You may also contact Sota, as they sell OL arms, as well, and would be a great source.

Also, the previously mentioned Sota Onyx I listened to was actually using an OL Silver arm.  Says something about their faith in it to put on on a $28K table with a $14K cartridge...

No experience here with SME tables or arms.

The plinths are indeed solid wood with finger joints and the top is veneered (phenolic-resin, I believe).  They do a beautiful job and one of the (many) reasons I was drawn to the table...mine is African Rosewood (Bubinga).  I made a matching Maple/Bubinga base for the table to elevate is a bit (hiding the spike feet and allowing a path for my preferred tonearm cable).  The motor covers are solid wood.

I have only tried my Silver mk4 on my Nottingham Interspace and it sounded great. I use to be a big Unipivot fan, but over the year I've had gimbal tonearms that are great and very high resolution. 

I went to my storage the other day to grab some audio gear that I want to downsize. I was going to grab the SOTA but I didn't have foam inserts for the feet or platter. I finally have the transport bolts but I wanted to have everything packed well; this table makes me nervous more than others about transporting.

If I wanted to replicate the plinth, I don't think it matters too much about the material  for the top, as it offers no support for the rest of the turntable, it's more of a cover, correct?