2. analog
  3. 1360802623

Seeking opinions on Clearaudio vs. SOTA tables

Looking for opinions and experiences on the SOTA Cosmos vs. Clearaudio Innovation Compact, or thereabouts in each line.

Someday it will be time to upgrade my beloved (never refurbished/upgraded) SOTA Star III. Though it reliably continues making beautiful music, the bearing/springs/etc show signs of being past their prime. The silicon lip was dried out when I acquired the table on consignment 6 years ago, so I've never experienced a working vacuum hold down (I cut the lip off so that records would lay flat).

Based on the Star III, I'd almost certainly love a Cosmos, either new or refurbished (new bearing/platter/vacuum). The question is how much improvement would be gained. Unfortunately, my friendly local dealer doesn't carry SOTA. However they do carry Clearaudio. The Innovation Compact looks rather stunning in design and build -- a work of art. On the other hand, some things about Clearaudio turn me off:
* Very high pricing
* Not a fan of some of their magnetic bearing tonearm implementations; one unit in particular would jump a groove at the *slightest* in-room vibration
* Their screw-on clamp is a huge WTF; that damn screw-cap has no business being able to fully twist off so easily (and the resultant juggling of the damn thing next to a $$$$ cartridge pisses me off like you wouldn't believe) without a stopper!
* Sometimes I feel like they're experts at over-engineering certain elements, but then other elements show neglect and complete lack of thought (see above).
* I've read recently that there may be some dispute as to the effective mass of their Universal tonearm (i.e. their spec may be wrong) -- not confidence inspiring

I got to audition an Ovation Wood (below the Compact) with an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze (I do have a decent grasp of how this cart sounds); it has some very nice attributes but ultimately I preferred my SOTA w/ Koetsu Platinum. Not a fair comparison sure, but ultimately it had me doubting whether the Ovation would provide a worthwhile upgrade. The Innovation Compact on the other hand...
128x128mulveling

Showing 7 responses by mulveling

mulveling's avatar
mulveling OP
1,774 posts
 
Thanks for the input so far. I should've mentioned in my initial post that I'm also very interested in the opinions of those who have moved up within either line.

Talked to a trusted friend and he's also leaning me towards the SOTA upgrade route, though he's looking at eventually getting a VPI Aries 3 for himself.

I'll contact SOTA to see what the options are as far as bringing my Star as close as possible to a Cosmos (I love my Star's Koa wood, and I don't think I'll be able to get that again) -- vs. just getting a refurb'd or new Cosmos.

If I go the SOTA upgrade/rebuild route, then I've also have to cobble together something listenable for a few months :)
mulveling's avatar
mulveling OP
1,774 posts
 
Thanks again -- the more opinions, the better! I have to agree that the vacuum system makes me a lot less nervous than the ring clamp. I already tempt fate as it is just queueing the cartridge with a few drinks in me!

I should add that I plan to stick with a Koetsu cart paired to a rather heavy Dynamic Balance arm (LOVE the combo). To start with, I'd transplant my current 10" Fidelity Research FR64fx to the new table; may try to source the 10" Ikeda as the final solution (the chrome version would certainly be eye-catching on the Compact :)).

So if the Innovation Compact is chosen, it would definitely be purchased without tonearm.
mulveling's avatar
mulveling OP
1,774 posts
 
I auditioned the Innovation Compact a couple days ago -- on my prior speakers & preamp, a very similar amp (M180; 1 step down from my Rogue Apollo), and a cartridge I'm familiar with (Ortofon Cadenza Red); it was very impressive. VERY. I'm also familiar with that room -- one of the benefits of having a nearby dealer. The neighboring Esoteric K07 (a gorgeous box) didn't hold up, but then I've always had difficulty in taking to digital.

The sound was exactly as you describe, Audiolui. Normally I'm wary of such descriptions because sometimes it's code for bright/analytical, but not in this case! The bass impact was not there compared to my current system, but I know that's in large part due to the speakers, cartridge, and (to a much lesser degree) preamp, vs. what I'm using at home.
mulveling's avatar
mulveling OP
1,774 posts
 
Thanks again, Audiolui. My current speakers have good detail, superb PRaT, a warm tone, and ample bass impact, so it should be a good pairing.

Any ideas on what is gained in moving from the Innovation Compact to the full Innovation Wood? The latter is more than I want to spend, but it's a big investment either way, so I want to get it right.
mulveling's avatar
mulveling OP
1,774 posts
 
Also, I'm curious as to how much that Innovation Compact sound (which I liked very much) came from the Magnify tonearm. I do like its action & feel; a humongous improvement over their lower-line magnetic bearing arms.

What might happen if I forgo the Clearaudio tonearm and mount my Fidelity Research arm? How difficult and expensive is it to get a custom arm board from Clearaudio? I need to keep at least 1 arm that works well with heavy, low compliance options (like Koetsu).
mulveling's avatar
mulveling OP
1,774 posts
 
A friend and I listened more to the Innovation Compact. I'm totally smitten by its sound, even with JUST that $1200 Cadenza Red. When I started this thread, I really didn't know my dealer would be bringing in that Compact; perhaps he reads these boards :p

I'm now fairly set on going whole-hog for the full Innovation Wood. BUT I'm also considering adding the ring clamp and either a Universal 9" w/ VTA or Graham Phantom Supreme 9"/10". WAY more than I'd planned on spending, and yeah it's going to be a stretch, but it's time to modernize my source and finally make it the system's strong point again.

I'm surprised there's relatively little online discussion of the The Innovation Wood/Compact tables, since they're such stunning pieces of machinery. But then, I guess that's somewhat in line with the lack of attention for my beloved Tannoy speakers.

Props to the SOTA Star III w/ Fidelity Research arm -- it's given me tons of problem-free pleasure over the past 6 years; not bad for a "starter" table, and still a fine rig after all these years!
mulveling's avatar
mulveling OP
1,774 posts
 
Just found this thread I started from over 5 years ago. What I ended up doing was buying a Clearaudio Innovation Wood (spring 2013) with a Graham Phantom Supreme. Great gear, but my rack at the time, even with lead-shot fill, was NOT up to the task. It became a mix of great detail and speed, combined with bad feedback/footfall issues. But I persevered.

In fall 2017 I upgraded to a Master Innovation with a CMS Maxxum rack (same time). BIG upgrade! VERY happy now. But I still loved the old SOTA...so this summer I got it rebuilt as a new Nova V, into the same old Koa chassis, dedicated to my high-end Stax setup - situated on just a Salamander Synergy stand, since the SOTA suspension can handle a lot. I love that table too! Both the Clearaudio and SOTA tables are sublime given proper conditions. I still want a Cosmos, and am also tempted to yank my old Innovation Wood back off my dealer’s consignment rack, lol. But having 4 high-end turntables within ~ 1000 square feet is probably way way excessive...
More to discover