I looked at the tonearm angle more carefully and it is not 0 degree bit maybe rising 1 degree up to the platter. It should be 0 degrees, no?
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@mglik
A lot of people are raving about 1200G. How long have had it and how durable is it? |
The only thing with TP with SOTA is that the counter weight sticks out and the dustcover won't close while playing. |
@mijostyn,
Keeping the dust cover on while playing means no TP arm for SOTA. It is not that easy to find a tonearm with an easy VTA control whether on the fly or not. I was interested in Origin Live, but the VTA control is not easy. |
SOTA has a magnetic levitation platter. Anyone know if this makes a significant difference in SQ? |
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. |
My friend's system is Spectral DMC30, DMA250 with Quad 2912 speakers (all MIT cables). Actually I haven't decided on my budget, but I want to get an idea of what is available. |
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 did have Andy Kim retip it with sapphire cantilever. My Kitsune MK5 phono stage does not have an SUT. When I crank up the volume with no music, there is some audible noise. I don't hear it when I stream music. So, may be I need an SUT like CineMag ahead of my phono stage as Jasonbourne suggested. |
I am embarrassed to admit I never checked the azimuth, zenith... because I don't really know how to do it. I just trusted the person who sold to me. He seemed to be very knowledgeable. The recommended tracking force is 2.5 gm. I am concerned that such high tracking force will gouge out the LP over the years. |
@bkesk, What tonearm and cartridge are you using on your SOTA? |
One option is to buy another system (with a better arm on it) and sell my current system. What do you think? I am thinking that a VPI TT with VPI JMW 3D arms may be a substantial improvement over my Sumiko. Of course, VPI TT don't have the vacuum, but I don't know how much real benefit I am getting with the SOTA vacuum. |
Sound lab speakers are FANTASTIC, so I don't think my weakness is the downstream components. Everyone is giving great advices. Ideally I would upgrade both the cartridge and the tonearm. But changing the tone arm on a SOTA TT is a lot more hassle, with no SOTA dealers around me. So, the cartridge upgrade is probably easiest to pull off not to mention the very high price of a top notch tone arm like Triplanar. |
@bkeske, How old is your SOTA? Dit you get it refurbished? |
@effischer
Which Graham tonearm did you get? Phantom is quite expensive.
How about the cartridge? |
No, haven’t decided on the tonearm yet. Is there a more professional way of increasing the tonearm/head shell weight than using a tape? |
Thanks gents for the info on the headshell weight. I talked to Triplanar and he told me that the TP tonearm on AG is actually MK3, not updated MK6. It is from 1997. Do you think it is worth it for about $3200? It can be upgraded to MK7 for $1600. |
I see that there is a Triplanar II upgraded to VI on audiogon. TP VI is supposed to have effective mass of only around 11 gm. With my Denon 103R retipped with Sapphire cantilever, I probably need a higher mass. I can increase the effective mass with a head shell weight. Where does one get such a thing (other than taping pennies)? |
Thanks gents for the info on the headshell weight. I talked to Triplanar and he told me that the TP tonearm on AG is actually MK3, not updated MK6. It is from 1997. Do you think it is worth it for about $3200? It can be upgraded to MK7 for $1600. |
@lewm
Patience is not my strongest suit, but you are right. When I visited you a couple of years ago, you had the most amazing set of TTs that I have ever seen. A true audiophile. |
@lewm
I get your point about upgrading the innards of my SOTA and I am going to do that. Since it is best to upgrade the table and install an arm by SOTA at the same time, I am focusing on the arm. SOTA also likes Kazuma and Origin Alive. |
I just realized that with Triplanar, I can't close the lid due to the counterweight sticking out. There is a 10 yr old SME V on sale for $2999? What do you think? I talked to SOTA and they say SMEs were one of the most popular tonearms with SOTA. But, SME no longer sells the tonearm alone. |
How is the tonearm that comes with 1200G? |
@mijostyn,
I have to agree that SOTA is bullet proof. My friend's system that I was raving about at the beginning has a 30 yr SOTA. |
@lewm
Don't you have the Technics SP10 MK3? How does it compare with MK2 or 1200GAE? There is a big price differential. |
How much difference is there between Origin Live MK4 and Conqueror? The price differential is not that great. There are SME V's on sale but they seem much more expensive. Any thoughts? |
@sandthemall, I retipped the 103r with a Shibata asymmetrical tip and sapphire cantilever and changed the epoxy body to solid aluminum. So, I think the cartridge is decent, IMO. The current arm Sumiko MMT (really Jelco) has an effective mass of 20 gm; which fits with 103r (likes a tone arm on the heavier side as you know). |
@vpi
I am realizing that. I was hoping to get the "ultimate" sound on the cheap with retipped Denon 103R, but I guess you get what you pay for. |
