SOTA turntables?
SundayNiagara -- Sun, 02/28/2010 - 18:32
SOTA 'tables get very little mention on the web. Who out there owns one and what are your opinions?
Thanks
PS: I own a Sapphire Series 1.
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I own a SOTA Star Sapphire fitted with a Sumiko The Arm driven with an Electronic Flywheel. I use a Sumiko record clamp, as well. Although an earier model, it does have the recently designed point supports. The Arm and the early SOTA turntables were designed with each other in mind and I feel that the combination works well/sounds good/images well, etc. The system is low in resonant colorations and is very neutral and stable for a table in this general price range. The benefit of a vacuum to both couple a record to the platter and flatten troublesome disks is clearly a strong attribute of the design. The suspension does make the system very immune to life's rude shocks. My guess about the lack of commentary in the press and on the web these days is likely due to its not being "the latest thing". This situation doesn't mean that it isn't good, however.
Bob Bubeck
There's a brief, but interesting discussion of the SOTA Star Sapphire in the upcoming June/July issue (which is just going to layout). Paul Seydor is a big fan of the 'table, and has proposed to me that he review the version with all the latest updates.
I don't want to give too much away, but the June/July issue includes our annual Golden Ear Awards feature. :)
Did anyone read the interview with Spiral Groove's Allen Perkins in the January Stereophile?
I have a SOTA Millennia w/ vacuum hold down and SME V arm. I think it is a great turntable and immune from shocks. Before I got a new turntable stand it was on a chest of drawers. My wife could open a drawer while I was playing a record without audible sound. I have had it for about 2.5 years and have never regretted buying it. I upgraded from an early model Oracle Delphi. I am a huge fan of vacuum hold down and would not like to have a turntable without it. I just read TAS review of the Walker, and I am surprised it does not have it. Anyone know why? Hope this helps.
I recently purchased a Sota Star Sapphire that includes an SME IV.Vi arm. It is very resistant to foot falls, and I have really enjoyed the table.
I have a SOTA Nova. It's not going anywhere. Great tables for the money. 1st one was a Sapphire from 1987. Well thought out and well built. I don't know why they don't get more coverage (or maybe that's a good thing!!).
Yes it is an excellent turntable. Mine is the model Sapphire with a Graham 1.5TC sota clamp.
It is well insulated from mechanical noise of out side e.g bad flooring, or knocks on the table base.
Some years back a sales personnal used a rubber mallet and hint the top of the TT plinth with force and the turntable just carried on playing without a miss track Telarc 1812 recording.
No other turntable has come close to this.
That inpressed me to this day.
Joseph Lazaroo
Sunny Singapore.
Yes it is an excellent turntable. Mine is the model Sapphire with a Graham 1.5TC sota clamp.
It is well insulated from mechanical noise of out side e.g bad flooring, or knocks on the table base.
Some years back a sales personnal used a rubber mallet and hint the top of the TT plinth with force and the turntable just carried on playing without a miss track Telarc 1812 recording.
No other turntable has come close to this.
That inpressed me to this day.
Joseph Lazaroo
Sunny Singapore.
According to what I have heard , SOTA turntables are really good and easy to use until you have a good beat making software ; It is best known for it noise insulation ability . I think that this is one of the best turntables ever created , with all it's qualities and I guess it is even the first ever turntable to introduce the 1812 recording system within itself .
i own a sapphire with sumiko MMT, one of which i first heard in a stereo shop. it has bass capability to the center of the earth and great speed stability. my friend resisted the purchase of one until one came up for a very low price. after having it for a short while, he bought a second one. as he had IMF monitor IIIs (improved) and Fried monitor IVs, he became addicted to the sound of the low bass this tt can deliver.
its certainly worthy of high quality MCs like the ortofon Kb and jubilee (both of which my friend had along with a rohmann). i would love to have a vacuum platter but the regular sapphire is more than adequate when used with a good clamp like the reflex and my orsonic.
...regards...tr
I have owned the SOTA moonbeam, a great entry level 'table. It may not have the pacing or detail of the high end turntables but it is quiet, reliable and musical. add a Grado Gold cartridge you enter the wonderful world of analog for under a c-note and made in the USA!
I have owned the SOTA moonbeam, a great entry level 'table. It may not have the pacing or detail of the high end turntables but it is quiet, reliable and musical. add a Grado Gold cartridge you enter the wonderful world of analog for under a c-note and made in the USA!
I am the most recent, and very proud to be, SOTA dealer in the US, that being Audio Renaissance in Rochester, NY. I am one of only twelve dealers in the entire USA. I wanted to point out to folks, who did not know it, that SOTA Turntables is a proud sponsor of the hit TV show House, MD. Dr. Gregory House (the lead character) has 2 SOTA 'tables. One is in his hospital office, and one at home. If you watch closely you will see these in the backround from time to time. To get a really good look at the hospital office one he uses, view the episode entitled "DNR". My shop has a SOTA Comet with S301 arm and an Ortofon Moving Coil (MC-3 Turbo) on display. It looks stunning in Piano Black, and sounds every bit as good as it looks. I also wish to mention that SOTA is the ONLY manufacturer (of anyone in audio) that allows a customer to trade up and receive back their full original purchase price toward an upgraded model for life! Can VPI, Clearaudio, Rega, Pro-Ject, Thorens or anyone else say that? I think not. This shows the ultimate in confidence in what you offer, like nothing else does. Remember that fact when considering your next turntable. SOTA has been in business for some 30 years. TAS will be featuring a new review of the SOTA Sapphire very soon. Lastly, as metioned previously, these 'tables are proudly 100% made in the USA. Have a listen to any SOTA, and enjoy the difference!
Craig
I couldn't agree more!
yeh, i noticed that SOTA is a sponsor and in the credits on House. i see he has the reflex clamp (as do i) but have not been able to discern which arm is there.
that would be a pretty nice tt just for an office. in reality, he would come to work one day and find an empty space where the tt once was. of course the idiot stealing it would have NO IDEA that the bearing would probably be ruined in a theft transport. the thief WOULD have to be in good physical shape to steal it though.
...regards...tr