Hi, I had a SOTA Star IV with an SME 309 arm and a Grado Sonta cartriage for several years. I upgraded this turntable from a SOTA sapphire mark III, and I must say that I enjoyed both tables quite a bit.
But time has moved on and SOTA has not kept up with advancements in turntable design.
I recently spent some time listening to the VPI scout turntable and in fact bought one after comparing it to my SOTA Star series IV with SME 309 tonearm. The VPI table is better sounding in every parameter from dynamics, to soundstage, to resoultion. Sell your Sota, buy a scout, and save some money. You will not be sorry.
But time has moved on and SOTA has not kept up with advancements in turntable design.
I recently spent some time listening to the VPI scout turntable and in fact bought one after comparing it to my SOTA Star series IV with SME 309 tonearm. The VPI table is better sounding in every parameter from dynamics, to soundstage, to resoultion. Sell your Sota, buy a scout, and save some money. You will not be sorry.