Turntable Advice?

What tomwh said.  Repair your turntable and add the Phoenix controller system.  It will be a huge upgrade, in my opinion, because, in my opinion, a major issue with the old Sota Sapphire was speed stability.  I owned one for 10 years before figuring that out.  Also, you say the motor has "gone bonkers".  Can you explain further?  If the motor still operates but speed is very inaccurate (I mean beyond the slight wavering of pitch), then the problem may lie in the electronics that control the motor, not in the motor per se.  That would be a win/win for you, if you send it to Sota.  They could repair the problem by installing the Phoenix designed controller in place of the original electronics.  Also, by all means keep the SME V vs any of the tonearms that come with the mediocre turntables you listed.  And finally, get a new cartridge if that would please you, or don't. That part is icing on the cake.

Wow. So much great advice! Am I on the right website? Or maybe its just that the analog guys actually know their you-know-what?

Anything around this level you're usually a lot better off fixing/improving than selling/trading. The only thing that concerns me is the bit about having it all set up by a local pro. None of this is anything you can't do yourself. Its just not that hard. If I can build a whole turntable from scratch then I am pretty sure you can swap out a motor and install a cartridge.

But don't just swap it out. Listen to lewm and upgrade. It'll be a little more work but improvements like this in turntables are awesome. You know immediately what contributed to what. As opposed to buying a new table which leaves you totally in the dark in terms of why it sounds different/better, this way you actually learn something. No more wondering, you KNOW something for a change. Plus the jolt of confidence you feel knowing YOU did it, that my friend you cannot even begin to put a price on.

Just to be clear, although I did use the words “repair your turntable”, I was not implying that the OP should actually do the work himself. I went on to suggest he send it to SOTA for the Phoenix upgrades and a new motor, if a new motor is even needed. SOTA can advise on the condition of the motor itself. They may even have upgraded the motor in connection with their adoption of the Phoenix electronics, since the latter is designed to drive a 3-phase AC synchronous type.

Thank you all.  Never have I seen such unanimity on a discussion topic!  I will get in touch with SOTA today.
I had read extensively on the web that the Pabst motors were no longer available and that SOTA was not properly supporting its customers.  Should have checked with them directly.
lewm, the table's speed fluctuates wildly - not slight pitch change.  Maybe you've figured it out, because the motor does still turn.

miller, this is why I usually have pros do everything.  I'm kind of hapless and lack confidence that I'll get it right.  I'll see what SOTA suggests and give it a try myself first.

The original electronics used a feedback system to check platter speed.  Sounds like something with the feedback or servo is broken.  Probably your motor is OK, but if SOTA recommends a new motor to go with the Phoenix electronics, I cannot over-state the benefits to be derived from letting them do it. You'll be amazed.

Funny story: about 25-30 years ago, when SOTA first came upon the scene, they offered a turntable as a kit.  A friend of mine who was a very capable engineer decided to build the kit.  When he got the turntable completed, I was invited for its maiden voyage.  The object was just to see if it worked. We sat across from each other at a table upon which the SOTA was supported.  He pressed the start button, and at first we were both pleased to see the platter start to rotate and quickly reach what was apparently the correct 33 rpm.  However, it didn't stop there; it continued to accelerate, faster and faster until I thought it was starting to rise up on the spindle, and I feared it would literally take off and hit one of us. I thought seriously about ducking under the table for protection. Fortunately, at that point he cut the power, and we both started laughing.  He had miswired that servo feedback loop.