2. analog
  3. 179574-83759

What is the best tonearm for a SOTA Nova turntable?

I haven't played an LP for a while now. I've moved from CD's to streaming both Tidal and my own rips from a Roon Nucleus plus. My SOTA Nova with an ET2 arm has been sitting idle along with hundreds of high quality LP's. I've heard that the ET2 is not a good match with the SOTA, and may be the weak point in my analog chain. (SOTA-ET2-Lyra Kleos -Allnic 1201 phono stage- ARC Ref6- PS Audio-BHK300 amps-Reference 3a Grand Veena speakers and unnamed sub system. 

My digital system with a Holo May DAC and Roon with HQP trounces the analog system pretty soundly.

I'd like to resurrect the analog system as I have read that I'm missing out not using it.

My question is, where can I make the most improvement for the least cash outlay?

I'd like to keep the SOTA table, but everything else is expendable.

Thanks in advance for some help.

-John

gyneguy225

Showing 2 responses by brockwired

brockwired's avatar
brockwired
53 posts
 

I bought a refurbished SOTA Saphire two years ago from SOTA. I had it set up with an Origin Live Silver tonearm and an Ortofon 2M Red(as a placeholder)

 Donna told me as I was loading it up that my setup could handle any cartridge up to $3k. A few weeks later I swapped out the 2M Red for a SoundSmith The Voice

I am  a very happy camper. 

 

So my recommendation would be an Origin Live tonearm. SOTA carries Origin Live and Kuzma tonearms. Would recommend discussing which one Donna recommends for your table.

 

brockwired's avatar
brockwired
53 posts
 

Having your Nova refurbished for $3k plus a tonearm for around $2500(just throwing a number at it) would be a steal. A new Nova with the same tonearm would be $7.5k.  To meet or beat your "renewed" turntable you would have to spend $7k to $$9k. The Origin Live Silver tonearm I put on my Sapphire two years ago was $900. If I ever updated my tonearm the Kuzma 4point9 would be at the top of my list, but I am very happy where I am now.

 

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