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recommendation for a high end analog system

I never had an analog system until last month. I bought a 1989 SOTA TT with vacuum/Sumiko MMT arm/Dennon 103R retyped with elliptical/sapphire cantilever. My phono is Kitsune MK5 WBT that is amplified by Don Sach 2 tube preamp and Pass X350.5. My speaker are Sound Lab M545 ESL. The TT has been very   well maintained despite its age. It sounded very good until I heard my friend's system which has the same TT but with Lyra Skala cartridge and first generation Triplanar arm (Spectral pre/amp). His sounded noticeably clearer and fuller. What is the best way to get a noticeable improvement in my system without breaking the bank (or before I have to squint to hear the improvement). I would love to hear some wisdom from analog-philes.
128x128chungjh
mglik
911 posts
 
+1 @dover post
Send the TT to SOTA to refurbish with the Eclipse motor.
Upgrade the tone arm. Ask SOTA for a recommendation.
Then look for a new cartridge. Hana is nice and good price.
You are looking at about $5-10k+.
And a lot of work.
OR
Sell it all and, for the price of a good tone arm, buy a new Technics 1200G! Technics hit a home run with this TT and arm. Check out the reviews.
chungjh's avatar
chungjh OP
265 posts
 
I just realized that with Triplanar, I can't close the lid due to the counterweight sticking out. There is a 10 yr old SME V on sale for $2999? What do you think? I talked to SOTA and they say SMEs were one of the most popular tonearms with SOTA. But, SME no longer sells the tonearm alone.
chungjh's avatar
chungjh OP
265 posts
 
@lewm 

I get your point about upgrading the innards of my SOTA and I am going to do that. Since it is best to upgrade the table and install an arm by SOTA at the same time, I am focusing on the arm. SOTA also likes Kazuma and Origin Alive.
dover
2,250 posts
 
@chungjh

You can get the SME V serviced by SME.
If you got the Sota brought up to date and the SME V serviced, you will end up with a great turntable/arm combo that should last you a lifetime and with full service records, be very saleable if you decide to sell later. 

bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,597 posts
 
@chungjh  👍🏼 Good to see you are going ‘all in’ on the SOTA. With the changes you are looking to make, you are well on your way to having a much better performing rig, and better sounding music. Then, a big decision on a new cart. And might want to reconsider your existing phono pre as well.
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