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Turntable Advice?

My SOTA Star Sapphire motor has gone bonkers, so I'm planning its replacement.  Hoping to get some thoughts on my options - I think some of you enjoy a challenge like this.  Major components are Aerial 10T's, Classe 6 Mk II pre-amp, Classe DR-150 amp.  Primary listening is well-recorded jazz, blues and solo guitar.

I could either re-use or sell my SME V arm.  I'm hoping I won't have to shell out more than another $1,500 either way.  Here's what I'm thinking:

1)  Get a new table and cart for the SME, have it all set up by a local pro
2)  Buy an old SOTA and cannibalize the motor
3)  Sell the SME V and go with:
  • New Music Hall mmf-9.3 with Goldring Eroica LX (no head amp needed - Classe has a MC input)
  • New Music Hall mmf-9.3 with upgraded cartridge (suggestions?)
  • Rega RP6 with Exact 2 cartridge
  • Clearaudio Concept or Emotion w/ dedicated arm and cartridge
  • Used table/arm (as long as it's durable)
This is admittedly a very wide-ranging list of options, but I'm all ears.  What would you do?  Thanks in advance!
keegiam

Showing 4 responses by bdp24

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,111 posts
 

@lewm, and then there is the matter of a TNT (or Aries, or any other VPI as far as I know) with the Eclipse package installed in place of the stock Hurst AC motor. Bill Carlin was talking on the VPI Forum a few years back about the need for a better motor in the otherwise nice VPI tables (he's a fan of DC motors), and proposed he and Harry Weisfeld collaborate on a package similar to the Eclipse for the VPI tables. Unfortunately, a clash of personalities developed between the two, and it never came to pass

VPI owners now have a way to improve the sound of their tables at reasonable cost, thanks to SOTA! SOTA is also producing the Roadrunner tachometer, which is identical to the Phoenix Engineering version.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,111 posts
 
@lubachi, Phoenix Engineering closed down when the Falcon and Eagle PSU and Roadrunner were discontinued (those were the company's only three products). PE design engineer/owner Bill Carlin posted a lot of info on the design of his products on the VPI Forum, which are still available for reading.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,111 posts
 

@lewm, nope, the new Eclipse package is described on the SOTA website as "a low-vibration 3-phase brushless DC motor paired with a state of the art motor controller developed by Phoenix Engineering, known as the Condor." The Eclipse package retails for $725, I believe.

The original Phoenix Engineering motor controller WAS for an AC motor, and found favor with owners of VPI tables. By the way, SOTA is letting VPI owners know the Eclipse DC motor will fit in the motor pod of the TNT, Aries, etc. tables.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,111 posts
 
@keegiam, your worn-out motor provides you with the perfect excuse to spring for the new SOTA 3-phase DC motor, along with the Phoenix Engineering-designed motor controller made expressly for it, and the Roadrunner tach.
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