The Official SOTA Turntable Thread
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mprince
Super Member
I would also consider contacting Donna or Christian at SOTA, I've had some luck buying used/harvested parts from them (spoiler: it's not cheap), not sure if they would sell you a motor plate, but it doesn't hurt to ask. With their trade in policy, they get in older tables when people upgrade, the ones they don't refurb and resell are their source of parts for older tables.
Also, there are often Sapphire parts listed for sale on eBay, might also be worth a check there.
Also, there are often Sapphire parts listed for sale on eBay, might also be worth a check there.
craigsc
Active Member
Apologize in advance for asking some questions that are probably in here somewhere but here it goes. I do some turntable repairs here in Charleston, SC. Typically mid-level vintage or newer turntable kind of stuff. Recently someone brought me a SOTA with an Eminent Technologies 2 tonearm that wasn't tracking. I've been able to get the tonearm working mechanically by following the "cleaning" details in the owners manual. The tonearm tracks and the table sounds great aside from a hum. The tonearm wires were partially disconnected when I received. The tonearm wires (4 separate wires) were directly soldered to some RCA connections in small terminal box on the back of the SOTA. The two channel grounds were tied together and attached to a 2' ground wire that came out of the terminal box.
Should there also be a tonearm ground tied to this this ground wire. I haven't taken the bottom plate of the SOTA to see what's going on there because table seemed to be working fine. Looking for some thoughts on this ground question?
Should there also be a tonearm ground tied to this this ground wire. I haven't taken the bottom plate of the SOTA to see what's going on there because table seemed to be working fine. Looking for some thoughts on this ground question?
After thirty years I'm finally getting the SOTA turntable of my dreams. Christan is putting together a Series III in a rosewood case with all upgraded electronics. I'm also getting a Rega 330 tonearm and Hana cartridge. I use Tara Labs RSC cables on the rest of my gear and was considering getting a Tara Labs phono cable. However, I'm curious what you folks use or would recommend for this turntable. I have a Jolida JD-9 with all upgrades connected to a Prima Luna Dialogue One amp, and Totem Forest speakers. I'm in the slow process of upgradng the rest of my gear after twenty years.
I'm new to the site and apologize if this question has been addressed previously. Thanks for your advice.
John Cotner
New Ulm, MN
I'm new to the site and apologize if this question has been addressed previously. Thanks for your advice.
John Cotner
New Ulm, MN
The only cable I've paid much attention to is the phono cable, and that's simply because the stock SME tonearm cable picked up a hum from a TV that was mounted over the equipment rack at one point. I changed it out for one of these and the hum disappeared.
If I'm not mistaken, the Rega tonearm cable has the ground integrated into one of the RCA's, so that would be a thing to consider when looking at replacements. I'd be inclined to try the stock cable (assuming you get one with the turntable and arm) and see how you like it.
Congrats on the new table! I'll be sending my SOTA back to Wisconsin for a round of updates after the first of the year and am looking forward to getting the process started!
If the SOTA table is the table of your dreams Id also go for the SOTA Pyxi phono stage. I think you'll be quite impressed with it.
Athanasios
I started the following in a new thread a while back and only got 1 response and it was from a Technics fan. I need some unbiased advise.
It is getting closer to getting a new turntable. Now to choose between these two. I married into a Technics SLD2 37 years ago. It has been a steady workhorse.
BUT I WANT A NEW ONE.
These two are at the price point.
I'll be putting my AT VM 95 on it. The rest of the rig is a new Parasound Zphono Usb (I've recorded all of the records to the computer starting with a Xitel Inport and then a Projec ADC). An Onkyo AVR in stereo and my faithful still great sounding Altec Lansing Model 15's.
The Technics is a known quantity. The direct drive falls under the KISS principle. If the SLD2 lasted that long with dependable performance, I would expect the same from the new one. It's a Honda Accord. It wouldn't matter where I bought it from, it would be from a national big retailer.
The Sota has a belt that probably will outlast me, I'm 70. I had a belt drive Pioneer PL10 that I bought in1974. I spent most of my working life in a small business either as owner or employee. I tend to go out of my way to support them. I also follow the money. I shop at Publix rather than Aldi as the money goes just up the road to Lakeland rather than Europe. I've been to Wisconsin, it is a real cool place. I can buy it directly from the designer/builder/owner.
Winner: SOTA
It is getting closer to getting a new turntable. Now to choose between these two. I married into a Technics SLD2 37 years ago. It has been a steady workhorse.
BUT I WANT A NEW ONE.
These two are at the price point.
I'll be putting my AT VM 95 on it. The rest of the rig is a new Parasound Zphono Usb (I've recorded all of the records to the computer starting with a Xitel Inport and then a Projec ADC). An Onkyo AVR in stereo and my faithful still great sounding Altec Lansing Model 15's.
The Technics is a known quantity. The direct drive falls under the KISS principle. If the SLD2 lasted that long with dependable performance, I would expect the same from the new one. It's a Honda Accord. It wouldn't matter where I bought it from, it would be from a national big retailer.
The Sota has a belt that probably will outlast me, I'm 70. I had a belt drive Pioneer PL10 that I bought in1974. I spent most of my working life in a small business either as owner or employee. I tend to go out of my way to support them. I also follow the money. I shop at Publix rather than Aldi as the money goes just up the road to Lakeland rather than Europe. I've been to Wisconsin, it is a real cool place. I can buy it directly from the designer/builder/owner.
Winner: SOTA
I received by refurbished Sapphire this week. The set-up instructions were confusing, but after. a few calls to Sota it all came together. And it sounds great. Now I need to dial in my Jolida JD-9 phono stage to complement the Hana EL cartridge. Anyone out there with a similar set-up and recommendations on DIP switch settings?
I've finally decided to upgrade the Rega 330 and Hana EL on my refurbished Sota Star with the upgraded electronics. I spoke with Christen and he recommended another Hana and an Origin Live tonearm. The Origin Live Silver Mk IV with a Hana S will keep me withing budget. The Origin Live Zephyr Mk 4 will put me a little over with the Hana S. Is the Zephyr significantly better than the Silver for the extra $400, or do you need to get up into the Encounter? Would I be better off going with the Silver but a Hana M cartridge? What is the verdict on low output versus high output cartridges?
Thanks,
John Cotner
New Ulm, MN
Thanks,
John Cotner
New Ulm, MN
wimbo1
Member
https://www.originlive.com/hi-fi/tonearm/tonearm-fitting-set-up-installation/ In regard's to how they compare on a Sota? No idea. You need to research that mate.
phoenixengr
Active Member
If you haven't already made a move on this and you will be attending AXPONA next month, check out SOTA's new direct drive table, the Orion:
At 0.005% W&F, it might just be the lowest numbers in the industry. The prototype pictured above is built on the proven Millennia platform and sounds amazing. Their belt drive tables are very good, but the DD Orion is going to be a game changer.