Best pivoted arm for SOTA less than $1000 used


Looking for a pivoted arm for my SOTA Star for less than $1000 used which would mate with a grado reference cartridge. Also, would like something relatively easy to set up, maintenance free, with easy VTA adjustment. Any ideas?
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Showing 1 response by almarg

If you can find one (which will take some patience), a 1980's Magnepan Unitrac unipivot arm would be a fine match. I've used that arm on a non-vacuum SOTA Sapphire since I purchased them new in 1983, currently with a Grado Reference Sonata (formerly with a Grace F9E Ruby).

VTA adjustment is done simply by turning a knob, which can even be done during play.

Although it is unrelated to the arm, I should mention that with the unshielded wood body Grado there is a very slight hum evident in my system when the cartridge is above the SOTA's rotating platter. It is only audible from within a few feet of the speakers, when no music is being played and the room is totally quiet. It disappears when the cartridge is not positioned directly above the platter.

I believe that this arm typically sells these days for around $300 or $400, but it does not appear very often.

Regards,
-- Al