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Sota Star series III questions

Hey gang, I just got all the pieces of my setup together. McIntosh Mc225 stereo tube amp, McIntosh MX110Z tube preamp, Martin Logan ESLs, and a Sota Star series III turntable with vacuum, SME 309 tonearm, and Grado Signature model MCZ cartridge.

Some questions I have for the group:
1. What year would the Sota be? I think it's mid 80's. It says Oakland, CA on the back. Ser #22708. 

2. Phono level to preamp is low. I have to crank the preamp to 90% to get the same level as the tuner.   (Note, amp gain is set to about 60% per channel to keep distortion and noise down.)
Is the cartridge mismatched with the amp/preamp?  If so, what would be a better choice in the $200-$800 range?

3. Anyone know where I can get my hands on the alignment guide / protractor  for the SME?  Google isn't helping. 


Thanks everyone for your time!
Bill

rbpett
4 responses Add your response
barolobrain
48 posts
 
An infrequent forum visitor but I've owned a number of SOTA's over the years, Series I-III and still have two Oakland Star III's.  SOTA put out a newsletter dated September 1989 which indicates that you have a Series III version.  They were made between January 1987 and September 1988.  I hope that answers your first question.

I have an SME V on one of my decks and it's mounted on their Cosmos armboard.  As part of the setup just make sure that the platter is level and that you have the right amount of weight (lead shot) in the well under the armboard so that the sub chassis is properly balance within the plinth.
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

You have my favorite TT in the affordable range. Nothing can prevent wire from becoming oxidized over a period of time; I would see about changing the tone arm wire; that's a win win situation, you can't go wrong.

Good luck.
rbpett OP
1 posts
 
Thanks bgpowell!  This certainly helped balance out my inputs, but aux and phono are still low (I tried phono 1 & 2) compared to tuner levels.  Not as bad though, but not ideal either. 

I did manage to locate a tonearm alignment guide for the sme 309, but they were out of the compass alignment.  Slowly but surely dialing my system in though.
bgpowell
70 posts
 
There is an adjustment on the MX110Z to equalize the loudness of the phono and the aux input to the tuner.  I found this on a google search on your tuner/preamp.  The adjustments are on the top behind the front panel if the article is correct. It an article on Positive Feedback by Jeff Day. I suggest a search on this to add to what info you get from the forum.
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