2. analog
  3. 1072553216

What type of turntable should I use?

I have a Sota Star Sapphire which uses hanging suspension but I'm wondering if I need any suspension at all.

My listening room is part of my finished basement. I live on a block where there is very little traffic. It is not a through street. So I don't get trucks and other heavy vehicles rumbling past causing vibrations.

My stand is very solid. I cannot detect vibrations from the speakers when I hold my hand on the equipment rack shelves.

All of this stuff can be seen by clicking on "my system."

What all of this is leading up to is, do I need a turntable with suspension, AND is there an advantage to having an unsuspended turntable?
128x128nrchy
steelhead
318 posts
 
Your Sapphire should continue to serve you well in your setup. Read what reviewers still think of SOTA in the Jul 03 and current Absolute Sound issue. I have just swapped a Sony 333 SACD for a Sapphire/FR setup and I am psyched. I remember how beautiful that setup sounded in 81 through Levison/B&W 801's.

But there are a lot of beautiful new decks both suspended and non-suspended, so have fun.

I would be interested in your take if you upgrade.

Regards, Steelhead
sayas
189 posts
 
a suspended table if set up correctly will always yield better performance because it is absorbing incoming as well as outgoing vibrations, however small they may be

enjoy your table unless you are prepared to go way up stream
pmotz
409 posts
 
Interesting question, I have a similar situation and would also be interested in the experience of others. Being a VPI fan I have been intrigued by the fact that the low-end (Scout) and mid-line (Aries) tables from VPI no longer use a "suspension". The top of the line TNT HRX does, but at that price it should! If you beleive VPI a well built solid table is better than a less than ideally executed suspended table. I've been thinking about trying a Scout in place of my HW-19, but I'm not sure if the local dealer will do it and if it would be a valid comparison unless I swapped cartridges (that would test my aural memory!).
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
Keep your SOTA--unless you want to upgrade to a modded 1200!
More to discover