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Just curious...
I KNOW they are still in business - at least, they still have a website.
I see plenty of mention of VPI, and Rega, and Linn, but no Sota.
Really just ask that because, other than something INSANELY expensive, like a Walker Audio Proscenium Gold (which I only have heard twice) - a Sota Star Sapphire with ET2 arm has always been my dream "vinyl rig."
Not sayin' I would scoff at an Oracle Delphi, or something from Well Tempered... but I just don't see Sota mentioned these days. The fact that they seem to be based in DeKalb, IL doesn't hurt, either - as I was born & raised in IL, and some of my schooling was at NIU in DeKalb.
Follow Ups:
Living in South East Wisconsin I've been exposed to Sota since my first dive into vinyl. One of my audiophile friends had one. The best for the money was what I was told by a trusted friend so I took the plunge.
My first used Sota came from an Audiogoner who said "I spent over 20K to get 3% better than this Saphire. After first listen I've never looked back. I now have that Sota Table at work.
My most recent update from Sota (home table with the vacuum platter) made the sound so improved that I'd have a hard time going with any other company. I go to Axpoena every year in Chicago and listening to everything. It makes me happy with my choices. Support is provided by the company readily and updates are not over billed which for me is important.
I know Sota is working on some updates that should hopefully improve the visibility of the company, and showcase their designs that are trusted, and have lasted. Still made in USA...
Regards,
Christan
I'll keep looking for a nice late version Star with an ET2... Almost picked up my "dream rig" a couple years ago for all of $750 - even had a really nice, low hours cartridge.
Solid mass and direct drive are hot now.
Meanwhile my SOTA Nova continues to work and sound great!
My Sota just keeps keepin on. I'm sure there's better more technologically advanced record spinners but to chase a dream, why bother? I've had my Sota since I bought my first high end stereo and everything has come and gone except my turntable. It's nice to buy something once and get off the carousel. VPI redesigns the model line up all the time, Linn always adds updates to the LP 12 and they have to let you know about it. The last thing Sota added was the Millenia and that was years ago.
Edits: 08/03/17 08/04/17
And I have no desire to upgrade.
Dark energy? Ridiculous!
We live in an electric universe.
It seems that limited marketing and production have taken the brand name out of the limelight. I had a Series I Sapphire and now three Series III Stars. I had my original Star III from 1986 modded by them in 2005 (sub assembly and springs) and spent time talking to both Kirk and Donna. I was overseas then for 8 years and when I came back they were very helpful in solving motor problem. When Kirk passed he was working on a power supply issue I had.
Nice tables and nice people. The series IV and V, which were not made in Oakland have much better construction than the I-III's. As founder Fletcher said, they were great at design but crap at execution.
......manuals and literature. Seemed like they were the only company that was that protective of their lit. I took it as a slight to hobbyists and those of us that like to DIY.
I did manage to change the bearing in my Star Sapphire without their help. And decided to be done with the marque just based on principle.
In spite of any philosophical differences Kirks passing was tragic and I wish Donna only the best.
His wife Donna is keeping the company going.
They are pretty much in 'heritage' mode. They make the tables they've always made and take care of existing customers.
No big changes, no fancy new stuff to show off at CES.
Still great tables and great customer service.
"To Learn Who Rules Over You, Simply Find Out Who You Are Not Allowed to Criticize."
-Voltaire
Hope the venture holds value for Donna & she can keep it going for a goodly time.
.....and don't do any advertising. If you don't beat your own drum, nobody else will do it for you.
Plus, they do not sell through the major retailers like Music Direct or Elusive Disc.
Listening to base Comet with excellent Magnepan unipivot arm right now!
You don't hear much about SOTA ever since the tv series House was cancelled. That series was SOTA's best advertising. Nice tables.
We'll see if any Sota owners (other than Elison) come outta the woodwork.
Check the link and take a look at how many companies we hear very little about on Vinyl. Guess not many inmates here own their tt's.
I don't know either, unless it has to do with TAS constantly praising /reviewing VPI's (giving them a boost in the earlier years) because of, I suppose, HP's friendship with the owner. It was this bias that turned me off of TAS and made me realize that, along with ignoring other worthy high-end models and manufacturers, HP's talk about only caring about the reader to be untrue (though probably not in his mind.)
I have had a SOTA Sapphire (non vacuum) since about 1993/94 (bronze toned platter). Upgraded with the hard platter mat and the record weight. I also upgraded the tonearm mount with the Cosmos model when I got an SME IV. (Used previously with an EPA 500 and a Premier FT 4.) It has never, EVER, broken down or failed to operate properly while in almost every-day use for all those years. Speed accuracy remains spot on over many months with no adjustment required. I only check speed accuracy every now and then, to make sure, but have never been disappointed.
I would not even consider another TT brand, unless it was an SME 20 or 30, which I can't afford. The SOTA is very well matched for an SME arm.
Most highly recommended, and the owners are nice.
LowIQ
I have a couple of friends with VPI Prime turntables and I really like them. They might not be as quiet as my Sota Millennia Vacuum but they come pretty close. If I were in the market for a high-end turntable today, I'd probably go for a VPI Prime, but I'd need to have the Phoenix Engineering RoadRunner and Eagle. Fortunately, I bought them just as Phoenix Engineering closed shop so I'm in good shape if I ever buy a VPI. ;-)
Best regards,
John Elison
Many of those I had never heard of, but it was nice to see such a broad sampling.
Good question. SOTA provided a new bearing and a matched subplatter/platter combo for my old Sonographe SG-3 about 5 years ago. They took over the assets of Conrad Johnson turntables when they shut down, so they were able to help as they knew the SG-3 inside and out.
Don't know why they are never mentioned here.
The SG-3 was(is) a great little turntable. I had one years ago that developed a wobble. My intention at the time was to correct the wobble for sure, but to also do a light restoration in the process. When I reached out to CJ for the parts needed, they were totally useless. They didn't have any of the needed parts for openers and offered nothing in the way of advice/support for the SG-3. That surprised me since they were always very good at supporting the CJ electronics I had owned over the years. I guess their heart really wasn't in the turntable business. Glad to see someone has stepped up to support the classic SG-3.
Yes, they helped make my SG-3 better than new. Here's the refinished table.
I agree with David. Beautiful table!
Thanks to you, too.
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Thanks!
Seems like John Ellison talks quite a bit about his SOTA whatever model it is on this asylum page.I have a friend that has a SOTA with the vacuum hold down who likes it quite a bit, dead silent, too.
"If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok
Edits: 08/02/17
Actually, I got a lot of flak for posting pictures of my Sota Millennia Vacuum turntable in this forum so I try to minimize mentioning it. However, I really like my Sota. In fact, I just replace the original stepper motor with a true three-phase synchronous motor and controller from Phoenix Engineering and it now runs in total silence with very accurate speed. It's my favorite turntable and it sounds wonderful. If only Sota had teamed up with Phoenix Engineering, there might be a lot of people still talking about Sota turntables.
The little component displaying 33.333 is a tachometer that measures platter speed. It sends feedback to the Condor Three Phase motor controller to maintain constant and accurate speed. It can now be electronically switched between 78-rpm, 45-rpm, and 33.333-rpm.
.
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What a beautiful turntable and arm you have! If you ever get tired of that Sota, I have a Prime where we might be able to work a swap. Of course your SME V arm is worth more than my Prime, so cash would have to be transferred your way too. I like my Prime quite well, but have grown to prefer my SL1200GAE over it.
Well, no flack from me.
I like seeing pics and discussion of turntables other than VPI.
"If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok
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