Generally speaking upgrading/updating/refurbishing a good older piece of gear is less money than going out and buying something new. So you need to compare whatever Sota has quote you for the upgrades with what a new table would be. You may indeed need a new cartridge but that table is certainly doing your current cartridge, and arm, a disservice.
Early SOTA vs New Something: Conundrum
Hiya,
In a nutshell:
I have a Series I SOTA Star from prior to 1986. I've had it about 12 years. It has early AudioQuest B300 cartridge. The Sumiko MDC-800 Arm is the best part of the unit. No modifications. No maintenance ever as far as I know.
The Arm was installed where a previous arm sat (not by me) and is not positioned correctly.
It needs at least a new cartridge. But after a chat on the phone with SOTA, it sounds like after these years (plus the arm mis-location) it needs a bit more than that. Upgrades, adjustments etc...
I could do a new cartridge, but it appears a waste without doing other needed work to the TT.
Cartridge, Tonearm board with other needed upgrades I'm looking at about the price of a new table. Such as a Technics 1200G or some such version of.
Time to jump ship? Or I could ignore it all and continue to run it as is. It honestly doesn't sound horrible. Not great either. But bad enough I don't play vinyl much anymore in favor of CD- digital
I do have an extensive LP collection and wouldn't mind listening to it...
Cheers,
RW