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Time to move on from my old SOTA ?

With a $1500 budget, should I refurbish my vintage gear or update to a modern set-up? HISTORY: In the early 80's, I assembled a SOTA Saphire, Lustre GTS 801 arm and a Dynavector "Ruby" cartridge...I have not used the table for years and it needs to be sent back to SOTA for service and repair. I have been out of the loop for so long... Do I invest my time and money into refurbishing/updating my old set-up or move on to a newer package like the Marantz TT 15S1 with arm and cartidge...ready to go. Moreover, where would I be if I invested my budget into my old gear, how would it compare with what's out there today? Any suggestions/opinions? Thanks for your read...
larseand
chashas1
596 posts
 
Ditch it! there are far far better tables out there...there are many things from the 80's that were very popular that no longer hold water, that table being one of them. Sorry to sound harsh, but it's how I hear it...you have a nice arm and cartridge, however :)
dmccombs
112 posts
 
I would keep it and upgrade it. If you could add the vacuum system to it, all the better.

If you upgrade it, Kirk at Sota will update the suspension, and lots of other updates that will make the table sound better than it ever has.

The Sota tables provide excellent sound for their price points.
pryso
1,930 posts
 
Larseand, I owned a SOTA back in the '80s and always found it to be a very good and consistent performer. Then a few years ago a friend wanted to sell his Sapphire so I bought it with the intention of setting up a dedicated mono system (I have hundreds of mono LPs). His came with a Premier FT-3 arm.

Upon audition after getting it home I was disappointed in the sound, it seemed to lack focus. So, being a hands-on hobbyist I took the plinth apart, cleaned everything, filled all the screw holes (many would not retain the screws well), then put it all together again. Checking with the good folks at SOTA I found the test for the suspension springs was the inner platform should hang evenly and no more than about 1/8" below the oak frame. Fortunately my springs were good (if bad they can be re-tempered for much less than new ones) and the ability to tighten up all the fittings eliminated the lack of focus with the sound. Also my belt was still good so my only cost was the time spent to "refurbish" my table.

Whether you want to do-it-yourself like I did or rely on Kirk at SOTA to refresh yours, I cannot imagine you would likely get similar performance without spending more.
rccc
216 posts
 
If its in your budget have Kirk bring it up to new spec. What has been said about 80's technology is silly. It was ahead of its time with a jeweled bearing, pendulum suspension, excellent motor etc. Not much out there can beat it refurbed without spending lots more money.
larseand OP
59 posts
 
Thanks for your input everyone. I'm going to send my old friend back to Chicago for an update.
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