SOTA Turntables?

[SundayNiagara]

They make great 'tables, but sorta fly under the radar. Anyone using one?

[JCOConnell]

They make great 'tables, but sorta fly under the radar. Anyone using one?

I don't use one, nor have I ever had one. But I have read that their suspended tables have a "front porch swing" suspension that can be problematic. Whats the deal on that?

[Rob]

Under the radar? maybe now, but in the mid '80s they were literally on top of the world. you couldn't find a dealer that didn't recommend a Sota over a Linn LP-12 (the two most popular tables by far). VPI was still a relatively young up-and-comer and then maybe Oracle if you could find a dealer, if you wanted better you went with a Goldmund.

I don't know why they lost market share, Rodney Herman was a smart designer. It's still an advanced design with a mass-loaded platter and inverted sapphire bearing, hanging suspension, Vacuum hold down, etc. I've owned three and enjoyed everyone one of them (Star, Star Sapphire and Cosmos). The Cosmos used a honeycomb aluminum/carbon fiber sandwich sub-chassis - this was 1987! Allen Perkins of Spiral Groove frame launched his career at Sota and was involved with designing the Cosmos and Millennia, two great sounding 'tables.

[MylesBAstor]

Under the radar? maybe now, but in the mid '80s they were literally on top of the world. you couldn't find a dealer that didn't recommend a Sota over a Linn LP-12 (the two most popular tables by far). VPI was still a relatively young up-and-comer and then maybe Oracle if you could find a dealer, if you wanted better you went with a Goldmund.

I don't know why they lost market share, Rodney Herman was a smart designer. It's still an advanced design with a mass-loaded platter and inverted sapphire bearing, hanging suspension, Vacuum hold down, etc. I've owned three and enjoyed everyone one of them (Star, Star Sapphire and Cosmos). The Cosmos used a honeycomb aluminum/carbon fiber sandwich sub-chassis - this was 1987! Allen Perkins of Spiral Groove frame launched his career at Sota and was involved with designing the Cosmos and Millennia, two great sounding 'tables.

Yeah SOTA was on top of the world;IIRC Tom Miiler put them on the map and they took off because you didn't have to diddle like a Linn with the dumb suspension. Or worry about the suspension going of alignment. Or finding someone competent at setting up the table. But SOTA did with the dawn of digital kinda go away until Kirk and Dawn started repairing the older tables and eventually making new models again.

Rod and Allen were crucial to the design as was David Fletcher. David was the designer of the then highly regarded tonearm marketed by Sumiko called "The Arm." What was it then? $1200. That was considered a fortune back then. David still seems involved with SOTA. Looking at the website, one could probably get a nice table for a good price going with one of the refurbished SOTA tables that people traded in towards their new SOTA table. (as also in looking for some "B" stock tables that are sold through some online dealers.)

Oh and Rod once designed a triangular plinth table many years ago for Ray Shab that was marketed as an Arcici table.

BTW, I would love to hear the SOTA Moonbeam, their ~$1000 table with arm (and cartridge IIRC).

In the end, do you want to deal with a table with (Linn, Avid, SOTA, Oracle, etc.) or without a suspension (VPI, Clearaudio, etc)

[MylesBAstor]

I don't use one, nor have I ever had one. But I have read that their suspended tables have a "front porch swing" suspension that can be problematic. Whats the deal on that?

I never heard of that. But if memory serves me correct, one did have to "balance" the suspension--was it using weights?--for the arm being used.

[Rob]

under the arm board there was a 'pocket' or recess where you added lead shot to balance the suspension which depended on the weight of the arm you chose (e.g. SME V/Zeta less ballast, Alphason/ET-2 needed more, etc.)

[hifitommy]

the "swing" referred to here has been obviated by using two springs turned clockwise and two counter clockwise. the swing is cancelled out.

[CraigS720]

I've owned a SOTA table for 30 years. Today I am using the top of their line SOTA Millennia with Graham Phantom and TechDas phono cartridge. Been super reliable.

[Rob]

Nice rig you have!

[MylesBAstor]

I've owned a SOTA table for 30 years. Today I am using the top of their line SOTA Millennia with Graham Phantom and TechDas phono cartridge. Been super reliable.

Hi Craig!

Nice to see you around!!!

[CraigS720]

Hi Myles!

I've been lurking, enjoying your new site. Keep up the good work!

[JCOConnell]

Does SOTA still make turntables with the vacuum hold down platters? I always thought that was a nice feature.

[hifitommy]

yes, the star sapphire and cosmos i believe. Basis is another manufacturer that features vac hold down.

[MylesBAstor]

Does SOTA still make turntables with the vacuum hold down platters? I always thought that was a nice feature.

Yes. And improved according to their website.

[JCOConnell]

I took a look at their website. Their tables are inexpensive for the technology you get. Their top of the line model is only $10K which is cheap compared to some companies today.

[Garth]

My first table was a technics 1350 then a Denon then a sota which I have had up graded as far as I could I still have it today. Great TT. Then I bought a TT that did not pan out which got me to the ClearAudio Statement which is a Great TT . I always had a SME V on the SOTA Which was a good combo IMO. This spans the best part of 50 years.

[Guest]

A Star Sapphire with an exotic wood plinth and a Sumiko MMT arm was the pride of my system early on. Can't remember the wood but it was beautiful. My first tweek was a set of aluminum TipToes that replaced the SOTA's hard rubber(?) feet. Maggies and a Hafler DH500 that I built from a kit. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[SundayNiagara]

I don't use one, nor have I ever had one. But I have read that their suspended tables have a "front porch swing" suspension that can be problematic. Whats the deal on that?

This doesn't happen, as the suspension springs are counter-wound to keep that from happening.

[SundayNiagara]

Some time before Kirk passed away, Donna told me he was thinking of upgrading the Sapphire/Star/Nova to an aluminum sub-chassis, similar to the Cosmos.

Alas, that never happened.

Would be an interesting mod for someone to try.

[geceon]

I used to own Sota turntables years ago. The one with the vacuum holddown used to be much better sounding than Linn LP12 on those days