@lewm That is interesting, I don’t believe I ever heard that bit of info. I know there was a SOTA Gem turntable that predated the Sapphire model.
Removing a platter on the earlier SOTA is not a straightforward task. You have to unbolt the bearing assembly from the bottom and lift the platter and well out as one unit. Then if you want to get to the thrust plate you have to unbolt the clamshell that holds them together. Taking one apart is not much fun.
I have taken a stethoscope to the table and listened to the motor and main bearing. Both are dead quiet, I cannot even hear any residual noise at all. It is really quite impressive.
I am curious to know if the first generation platter is all aluminum or if it was a composite. If all aluminum I think there was a Supermat that was used to damp it. I find it odd that a google search brings up next to nothing on the early generation tables.