Sota

[PHC1]

Any Sota owners here? I've recently heard a Sota Star and really liked the sound for the money.
Thinking of going with a Sota Nova and either a Graham or SME tonearm.

The tough part is deciding on the finish.... with choices of custom woods that include, but are not limited to, African Rosewood, Santos Rosewood, Birdseye Maple, Bloodwood, Coco Bolo, Epi, Leopard, Mahogany, Macassar Ebony, Purpleheart, Tulip, Walnut and Zebra it is pretty hard to decide.

[turntable]

I would imagine that going to the Nova may be a sideways step if you are going SOTA.
Going up to the Cosmos should be a noticable improvement over what you have at the moment. If you want to adjust VTA, Graham or Tri-planer is the way to go.

Originally Posted by PHC1

Any Sota owners here? I've recently heard a Sota Star and really liked the sound for the money.
Thinking of going with a Sota Nova and either a Graham or SME tonearm.

The tough part is deciding on the finish.... with choices of custom woods that include, but are not limited to, African Rosewood, Santos Rosewood, Birdseye Maple, Bloodwood, Coco Bolo, Epi, Leopard, Mahogany, Macassar Ebony, Purpleheart, Tulip, Walnut and Zebra it is pretty hard to decide.

[two dot]

Serge,

If you want to get serious about vinyl playback....

Go Shindo...

[jdandy]

Serge.......The Sota Cosmos seems to be a very nice turntable, and good looking, too. This is an enjoyable review, albeit two years old. : Sota Cosmos IV Turntable on 10 Audio

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by turntable

I would imagine that going to the Nova may be a sideways step if you are going SOTA.
Going up to the Cosmos should be a noticable improvement over what you have at the moment. If you want to adjust VTA, Graham or Tri-planer is the way to go.

I'd be surprised if the increase in price is justifiable between the two in terms of true sonic rewards. They are both very similar in design and both have vacuum. The Nova may very well be the "sweet spot" in the whole range. I've listened to a Star and the owner told me he has auditioned a few up and down the line and thought the Star was the true bargain. I think the Nova is priced right but I will look a little closer at the Cosmos to see what it has to offer.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by two dot

Serge,

If you want to get serious about vinyl playback....

Go Shindo...

I have not auditioned the Shindo/Garrard table first hand but I suspect that people wax poetic about it because of the retro looks and nostalgic reasons rather than the true performance. For that kind of money, there are modern tables out there that address most if not all design criteria that extracts maximum performance from the vinyl grooves. One can have a top of the line Basis, a serious SME, Clearaudio, Grand Prix Audio, Nottingham, Transrotor, Spiral Groove, TW-Acustic, etc... tables that really do sound great.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Serge.......The Sota Cosmos seems to be a very nice turntable, and good looking, too. This is an enjoyable review, albeit two years old. : Sota Cosmos IV Turntable on 10 Audio

Thanks Dan, I've read that review years ago. I've heard a few Sota tables before, the Star most recently and have always liked them. The Star was setup right too.

[two dot]

Originally Posted by PHC1

I have not auditioned the Shindo/Garrard table first hand but I suspect that people wax poetic about it because of the retro looks and nostalgic reasons rather than the true performance. For that kind of money, there are modern tables out there that address most if not all design criteria that extracts maximum performance from the vinyl grooves. One can have a top of the line Basis, a serious SME, Clearaudio, Grand Prix Audio, Nottingham, Transrotor, Spiral Groove, TW-Acustic, etc... tables that really do sound great.

Serge,

You bring up a very good, very valid point.

But, if you have a chance I would seriously consider listening to one of these tables.

Maybe not the direction you are likely to go, but the performance is truly amazing.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by two dot

Serge,

You bring up a very good, very valid point.

But, if you have a chance I would seriously consider listening to one of these tables.

Maybe not the direction you are likely to go, but the performance is truly amazing.

I'd love to hear it for myself.

[two dot]

Serge,

Just did a little reading on the new Cosmos...

Sound very impressive.

I have always loves the look of the Sota's and seriously lusted after one back in the day.