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What to consider with used Sota Sapphire??

A local pawn shop has an old Sota Sapphire: Sumiko MMT arm (I think), detachable headshell, oak frame w/ black plinth, the headshell has been replaced with a Stanton, cartridge is a Stanton as well. Has hinges for a dustcover, but no cover. Had been $375, but recently marked down to $275.
I already HAVE a good table, so I'm not really in the market for another; still, I got my thinking cap on just for the hypothetical "purchase" of the table.

The manual for the SOTA is available on Vinyl Engine and points out the somewhat elaborate box that SOTA uses for shipping: the table is locked down to plywood, so shipping stress is minimized. I've read that the bearing of the Sapphire is somewhat fragile and the manual suggests locking the transit screws even for a crosstown move.
In the pawn shop, the suspension is quite loose and springy, so I wonder if someone schlepped the table to the store with it bouncing up and down in the back of someone's SUV??? And wonder what chances of damage were if transported this way??
The new SOTA sells a shipping package for $65, but if the damage is already done, a person would have to consider sending it back to SOTA for a tune-up (and of course further expense). A replacement headshell is $40 from Needle Doc, new dustcover is $185, the bearing could be replaced if damaged (~$200?).
doodledog
doodledog OP
29 posts
 
Maniac,
I've read some similar tales on other forums. The new SOTA company offers the official shipping box for $65 (which seems pretty steep for a box) but it might well be worth it if it keeps the table intact. I doubt that I'll buy the table, but I thought it might be good to get this thread in the archives for someone down the road in a similar situation.

With pawn shops, I always wonder whether merchandise has been stolen----that might well explain the missing dustcover.
danielk141
489 posts
 
There are many upgrades for the Sota, depending on age.
I'm going to guess you'll pay 2 or 3 times your initial investment, to make this current.
You should give the serial # to Sota, & ask them the exact vintage, before you buy this piece.
Yup, I'm an ex SOTA owner.......
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
The box is expensive, but without it the suspension will be destroyed. The springs for the suspension support it from the top, not from underneath as is typical. The box has a plywood base that is cut out for the feet and drilled for the bolts which allow the table to be transported safely.

You don't say what table you already have so it's hard to recommend whether or not to buy this, but if there's no box I'd guess the suspension is trashed.

I am a current Sota owner, and I love their products. Call Sota (or visit http://www.sotaturntables.com) and talk to Donna. See if she thinks it's worth the money or effort.
doodledog OP
29 posts
 
Nrchy,
I have a Nottingham Spacedeck with a Origin Lived Rega arm that I'm happy with. I had considered buying the SOTA just as an experiment and selling whichever table I preferred least, but I'm a bit scared off by the thought of having to invest more $$ into the SOTA.

Daniel,
since I have a table already, I'm less likely to buy the SOTA as is; if I were starting from scratch, the SOTA might well be worthwhile even if it needed $300-600 in upgrades.
gregadd
574 posts
 
Doodledog- not a good deal in and of itself. If you are not a sota man, I would pass. SOTA does buy used tables. They also offer refurbushing and trades. Two problems. You are right about the springs. They will have to be replaced. This was always a major problem with the early sota tables. Second transporting the table without tieing down the springs can cause the sapphire bearing to crack. If it's cracked, it should be obvious.

Bottom line- if you want a sota it could be good for a trade or refurbishing. If not leave it alone.

The arm is also go good.
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