Calling all Sota fans.

You both have it exactly right. In order to get significantly better performance than a Cosmos Eclipse Vacuum you have to spend $72,000 on a Dohmann Helix and Schroder LT tonearm. This is the next step for me if the money becomes available.

It's a bargain, go on 

To the OP when you get to systems of the caliber you mention, very very very few dealers display more than what they feels sounds best and loaning out is iffy with setup so conducting an A B trial at home will be a challenge…
Hope this helps.

what TT do you have now ?

On mijostyn advice I purchased a Cosmos with vacuum and had a Kuzma 4 point sent to Donna et al to fashion a board to fit…it did take a few months back in 2020 but well worth it…I am listening with a Clearaudio Jubilee and ARC 3 phono. I couldn’t be happier it’s solid as a vault and if a train drove through my house it would not affect the SOTA. So IMHO you can’t go wrong with a Cosmos but definitely include the vacuum…warping is a non issue. Donna Et al couldn’t have been more accommodating and can set up most anyway you need. 

Don’t you think that when Doehmann finally develops a vacuum hold down system, he will add $20,000 to the price? I do. You are probably looking at a $90,000 turntable with vacuum. By the way, when my friend decided to sell his helix, I could’ve purchased it for $25 or $30,000, but I declined, because I am quite happy with what I have.

Jay, where do you live? There’s a train coming through any minute now. Pop your fave LP on the old Cosmos and tell us how it all works.