May also want to check, double-check, and try different Impedance and gain settings on your phono pre to make sure you are getting the most from your 103. But, you may have already done that. |
@chungjh Don’t get me wrong. My current system sounds very good. But, I realized the difference with my friend’s system was not subtle. I get it. When I purchased my SOTA Sapphire, it had no arm or cart. It has been a slow process (actually not that slow) in adding to my SOTA and realizing significant changes along the way. I first had to choose an arm, kinda got lucky on that, then replace my cartridge, then cables, then my phono preamp just recently. But I can tell you, even with my old cart and pre, it blew me away how much better my SOTA and arm was vs my previous rig from the very start. IMO, the SOTA is a great table and platform in which to build around. You don’t have to worry about over-spending on an arm, a cart, or a phono pre, as the SOTA is more than capable of being the ‘base’ to a very good rig. Beyond the vinyl rig, yea, there is your amp/pre/speakers, but you seem to have some pretty good equipment right now. Regardless if you change those, you want your turntable rig at the highest level you are comfortable spending on it. You will be much happier while playing back an LP with a good turntable rig, regardless of the back end. |
Well, you have already started to figure out where to start, and as a SOTA owner myself, I would stick with that. As you say, your friend has the same, and his rig sounds better. So….
I believe your arm is basically a Jelco, perhaps a 750, rebranded by Sumiko. That isn’t a bad arm, at least I doubt it is the weakest point. Which points to your cartridge, and/or phono preamp, as the two pieces I would start to look at upgrading first. Or, the cart and arm, if you like your phono pre.
No doubt his Triplaner is a better arm, but so is his cartridge, and that is personally where I would start. The 103 seems to have a great following, but it isn’t a Lyra. That was a $5,000 cart (still sell in 1.5-3k range used today). Carts do make a significant difference, it’s up to you to figure out how much you want to spend to get the same/similar sound. I would start with the cart first, then, a toss-up between the arm and preamp, but I think a preamp could make a more immediate impact. |
yes, already optimized impedance and gain. If I wanted to change the tone arm on my SOTA, how would I even do that? I think SOTA has a limited arm choices.
Yes, somewhat limited. You can contact them to get a new armboard drilled if required, to a point. For instance, not sure, but I doubt you can fit a 12” arm on your SOTA because of the suspended design. Obviously, easiest to try and match your spindle to pivot distance of your existing armboard if possible. As you say, your friends Triplaner fits his, so you could not go wrong with something similar. But, you may need a new armboard from SOTA. SOTA can be very helpful in that regard, so don’t hesitate to call them and see what your options are. |
@chungjh
I looked at the info on your phono pre, and it seems to be designed for both low and high output carts. Thus, you should not need a SUT. Perhaps I am looking at the wrong model, but there only seems to be one MK5.
Typically a SUT is most often used when you use a phono pre designed primarily for high output carts with a low output cartridge. Or, you buy a high output MC cart (when offered) to use on a primarily MM pre.
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@mijostyn
That Sumiko is a rebadged Jelco. I do not know enough which Jelco it is. If the 750, it has an effective mass of 13.5. I believe the 550 is only 9.5. Models ‘below’ the 550?
Neither should be too heavy for the 103. In fact, per the calcs I am looking at, either *should* work.
All that said, I think to get better sound, a higher end & better performing cartridge would be my suggestion. And as a Soundsmith owner and fan, of course, that is what I would recommend. But, something like a Hana ML would also be a good choice for a decent price, and I would think, far better than the 103. |
@chungjh
I wouldn’t be on scared to change your arm. The biggest thing is getting the pivot to spindle correct with your existing arm board, or get another from SOTA as/if necessary.
Then, balancing the new arm with the suspended sub-assembly using the correct amount of lead shot weight.
lol, I know that sounds like a lot, but really, it isn’t so hard, and you will quickly understand how the SOTA works by doing this yourself. That is how I learned, by simply doing it. If you need instruction on this set-up, they can probably be found on-line, or, again, I’m sure SOTA would be willing to email you a copy.
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@chungjh
@bkeske, How old is your SOTA? Dit you get it refurbished?
It is a 1980's Sapphire, non-vacuum, Series III. Actually purchased it off a gentleman here on Audiogon, it was his original table. He then bought the Star (vacuum), and finally decided to sell the Sapphire. No, not refurbished, but eventually want to get that done, at a minimum install a new and up-to-date motor, but while doing that, I would probably have the whole thing looked-over, springs replaced (regardless) etc. Right now, I'm just enjoying it every day, and it would be hard to part with it during a refurb right now. But will do it.....some day.... |
@chungjh @bkesk, What tonearm and cartridge are you using on your SOTA When I bought my table, I wanted to use a tone arm that fit the board that came with it, as it is a SOTA premium arm board. It had a 214mm pivot to spindle cut-out. Thus, I finally picked a new Jelco TK850S MKII. A very good arm for the money, but unfortunately hard to find now as Jelco is out of business. It cost about $1,300 if I remember correctly. Easy to install, and a simple arm to use. My cartridge is a Soundsmith Zephyr MKIII ES. I love my Soundsmith. It is a hi output (2.4 mV) low compliance (10) MI design, and think I would have to spend significantly more on an MC cart to match it. So, for both, it was about $2,800. To be honest, after getting back into vinyl after a 35+ year hiatus, never thought I would spend that much on a turntable rig, but believe me, it has been worth it, and really pretty inexpensive when you look at other potential combos. If I were you, I would probably look at a Origin Live arm. I’ve heard great things about those arms, and it would not break the bank. I also looked at VPI tables when I made the jump, but VPI’s have their own issues too, and I backed away from them. Bottom line, I am very happy I chose the SOTA. I’m now a big fan of their overall design. It may be my last table, and has been mentioned, you can send it to SOTA to have a partial or complete overhaul and update in the future to bring it up to current specs. |
@chungjh 👍🏼 Good to see you are going ‘all in’ on the SOTA. With the changes you are looking to make, you are well on your way to having a much better performing rig, and better sounding music. Then, a big decision on a new cart. And might want to reconsider your existing phono pre as well. |
@mijostyn bkeske, I also have a high output Soundsmith I am dying to hear. I bought the high output Zephyr before I got my phono pre (when setting up my Sapphire for the first time) that I know can drive a low output cart. I love my Zephyr, but am really considering the MIMC Lo version of the Zephyr now. Or perhaps step-up on the Soundsmith line with one of Peter’s other Lo output offerings. chungjh, you really do not want to consider a different turntable. Once you are use to the bullet proof performance of the Sota and it’s top notch isolation you will be unhappy with most other turntables including all of the VPIs. The Sota may not be the fanciest looking table out there but darn does it work well. I agree whole heartedly |
As far as raising a tone arm above the ‘plinth’/cover, I have a Jelco TK-850 MKII, and have thought about adding a VTA on the fly adjustment mechanism. Problem is it would hit against the wood ‘plinth’/cover. But, you can find a Jelco 1/4” spacer and add it to the Jelco mount to raise it up, and I’ve heard that works. I’m sure you could do the same for other arms.
I do not use the/a SOTA dust cover. When I do cover it, I have a custom soft cloth cover I use. To be honest, the cover isn’t on much. I play albums most every day. |
@mijostyn bkeske, When I was getting the "Voice" I asked Peter what the difference between the "Voice" and the Sussurro (a low output version of the "Voice") was. His reply was "larger coils in the Voice." Since the coils are fixed and there is no reduction in moving mass with smaller coils my next question was "then why is the Sussurro $2K more expensive?" He said," market economics." I also asked "then why wouldn’t the "Voice" be a better cartridge having a much lower signal to noise ratio." His reply, "It is." He said that he only makes low output cartridges because they are more profitable and people want to use their fancy, expensive high gain phono stages. They are stuck on thinking low output cartridges sound better. Then I got the Strain gage pitch. Which I would like to hear. I thing the Hyperion is too expensive to make to justify a high output version. People who buy high output cartridges will not spend $7K on a cartridge. Yep, I’ve heard Peter say the same/similar. That’s why I think the Lo MIMC Zephyr is probably a great deal for $2K new. That is the one I keep leaning towards for a Lo cart. I’ve just heard that my Hagerman Trumpet really performs best with Lo carts, albeit it sounds great with my Zephyr. And really, that is my major interest; getting the most out of my Trumpet. The Strain Gauge is a whole nuther animal. I would love to hear it as well. Pretty amazing in theory really. |
