Calling all Sota fans.

To the OP when you get to systems of the caliber you mention, very very very few dealers display more than what they feels sounds best and loaning out is iffy with setup so conducting an A B trial at home will be a challenge…
Hope this helps.

what TT do you have now ?

Jerry - I think you missed that fitting tangential arms to the SOTA is possible and that many SOTA dealers were ET or Souther dealers. I prefer the ET2 on a vac hold down SOTA and will most likely head in that direction IF a nice ET2 comes my way…..

Superb value

I have been a big SOTA fan since the launch of the Sapphire in the early 80’s. We were one of the initial dealers. A typical SOTA left the shop with a Sumiko or Souther arm and a Dynavector Ruby. My brother still runs the 1983 table w minimal adjustment and tuneups, it has a MMT with Ortofon Black MC… lovely still…

I bought several years ago  a Sapphire at auction from a widow. TT had at some point been dropped so it was shipped direct to Donna at SOTA for repairs and upgrades of which many ( mentioned above ) were possible. Replaced springs, bearing, upgraded motor ( should have bought Eclipse then, will do that soon ). Platter mat, new belt. I had the arm Sumiko FT-3 rebuilt and rewired w top Cardas by another vendor. I currently use a Hana ML until I sort out the upgrade path. Sonics are dark black background, excellent drive, speed stability/pitch good, the HANA is a polite MC.  I have a Brinkmann Bardo on HRS base w Triplaner and a Lyra, so no stranger to good sound. The SOTA represents superb vale, sonics and great service.
enjoy the music
Jim