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 3 responses by mulveling

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,774 posts
 

The ET2 was actually a pretty common pairing with SOTA Star. But I had one on a Merrill Heirloom (a much jumpier suspension), without the silicon damping, and it was very nerve-wracking to use! From what I could tell the ET2 sounded pretty damn good though. Just more of a hassle to use.

I got my Star III with a Fidelity Research FR64fx and it really feels like the perfect partner. Looks great too! Since then I’ve got a Clearaudio that supports multiple arms and I’ve played with Graham Phantom and CA Universal - but I prefer the sound of the 64fx with most cartridge combinations.

I’ve since had the Star rebuilt as a Nova V, and kept a 64fx on it. Wonderful match!

 

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,774 posts
 

I agree with others on their adulations of the ARC Ref 3/3SE phono stage (I have a 3SE). It will ascend you above the fray of the ~3K phono stages. It was a big difference when I upgraded from $3K stages to this next level. Also my VAC Renaissance SE phono is above the fray, just a different voicing than the ARC and a bit more fidgety with tube rolling :)

I also prefer using a quality outboard SUT, even with the 3SE. But it’s absolutely not necessary, and very specific to your cartridge choice.

A SOTA Nova with a great vintage arm (ET2, FR64fx, etc) and MC cartridge (your choice - I’ve successfully used many) will absolutely scale brilliantly with a top class phono stage. I know because I’ve tried that. It’s uncomfortably close to my Clearaudio Master Innovation lol.

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,774 posts
 

re Audio Research Ref3, anyone using with LOMC, like 0.3 output?

I used Ref 3SE with a couple of 0.3mV Koetsu, it sounded amazing. I still preferred a good SUT w/ low gain mode, but its high gain mode alone was competitive for sure.

Below 0.3mV w/ high gain mode, I noticed noise floor creeping up. It also picked up noise from a plasma TV in the next room over (no such problem when using SUT). So below 0.3mV, or near a plasma TV, I’d definitely switch to a SUT for sure.

I listen loud, and I'm metering at my listening levels - I'm sure other folks will want to respond with "it's graveyard quiet with a 0.07mV Ortofon in my system". It's still the best overall stage I've ever heard, but its high gain mode is not quite the quietest I've heard. 

More to discover