SOTA Nova vs SME 20/2

A few years ago Charleston Heston addressed the National Rifle Association, he held up a vintage rifle and said "out of my cold dead hands". I feel the same way about my Sota Nova. The SME's don't have a vacuum clamp which is a feature that I think everybody should hear at least once before they dismiss it. If you have the bucks I'd go for the Cosmos (or the Millineum??)
Cheers!

Because of the impact of CD's,and the negative advertising of competition,most vinyl lovers really have no idea how a well designed vacuum system can impact music reproduction.There are some vacuum systems that allow for the user to set vacuum pressure,which can be risky if you are inexperienced,and can risk too much pressure,which causes noise.Also it has been claimed(with no proof) that one can leach important chemical aspects from the vinyl.
In the SOTA(especially the greatly improved newer versions)this is all set by a computer chip,and the least amount of pressure is automatically selected.
I have had(as well as two friends)a SOTA vacuum system(in various models) for over two decades,without a single tick or pop,that I could blame on the vacuum system.
If digital had not become so popular,and tables still "ruled the earth",we would have heard LOADS more about the benefits of a correct vacuum system.Sorry,no amount of negative marketing could sway this inarguable fact!

I have no doubt the 20/2 is a fine table,but the Latest Cosmos IS a tour de force,both in design and sound.My last(older Cosmos)didn't even require a new belt,until I had it rebuilt(along with my pal's table),after twelve years.It operated flawlessly,yet the newest COSMOS "smoked it",in every conceivable way,when it came to performance.I had no intention of moving to the newer model,but when I heard my friend's update,last year,I was in "I'd even rob a bank,to get it" mode.This latest model designation is a powerful force,to be taken very seriously,especially at the "still" rediculously low asking price.

The 30/2,though,could be a different story!!Anything below that point is most likely going to be outperformed by the latest modded Cosmos.The problem,knowing "audio mentality",is that it's still too inexpensive.At it's current price.Hmm!!

Best!

Thank You all for comments/reflections on both TT. I have been doing some thinking and it really comes down to this. The Cosmos at $6000.00 is about half the price of the 20/2 at $11,000.00. How much performance of the 20/2 do we get from the Cosmos....85%-90%. Is the difference really worth $5000.00. As i stated in my intro, I have been a Sota owner for 20 years and i just may stay a Sota owner, perhaps with a brand new Cosmos (circa 2006). No doubt that SME products are S.O.T.A* and great value in England and throughout Europe. Not so in North America unfortunately. Sly.
* State Of The Art

I have never seen this "negative advertising" against vacuum hold-down. I have seen the "vinyl leaching" argument mentioned online, but don't believe it for a second. I've never owned a vacuum table, but harbor a prejudice that I wouldn't want to because of complexity, noise, and hassle. I've thought about trying Sota in the past, but that I would avoid the vacuum models if I did. I do like the sound of clamped better than unclamped. I also have a prejudice against sprung suspensions that are not damped, and I thought Sota was that way. Ditto for wooden external chassis (excepting the Millenium). But I haven't read anything about a newer generation of Sotas. I'm open to dispassionate arguments against my prejudices and/or misinformation if anyone wants to disabuse me...

Dear Plinko: Yes, I read that review. The own footers ( three columns ) that have the Analog one are not up to the " task ". I by-passed through Pneumatic Audio technica footers and the sound is stellar.

For the arms, you can take a look to " my system ".

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.