Sota or Technics

Neither.

I was looking into getting a new TT as well with a budget similar to OP. But I am waiting to refinish the basement before making the final decision. I narrow it down to the Marantz TT-15S1 or the MoFi UltraDeck both come with a good MM cart and has very good reviews.

Technics all the way. I own a 1200G because I found a great deal on it. I did consider the GR before the G popped up. It will last forever, it's always ready to work, in my opinion it's gorgeous to look at and most important - it sounds amazing. Very easy to switch head shells as well.

I would recommend upgrading your speakers to SALK Song3 Encore towers.  However, they are $6,000 and well worth the cost difference.  I met Jim Salk at the RMAF two years and I thought these sounded better than a pair of $60,000 speakers down the hallway.  However, he was playing these through tub mono blocks and perhaps the mono blocks made them sound so incredible.  Maybe there is something to be said for tube amplifiers.  They do sound warmer.  However, they do require more maintenance and the cost of replacing tubes.  Not sure how mono blocks work.  Are they two channels of mono to create stereo?  I am sure this gives me away for being such a rookie.  There are so many incredibly knowledgeable people in this group and I am sure they could explain this to me.  Bear with me.

If I had to choose between these t.t.s I would go with the SOTA. In fact I would avoid the Technics. However my first choice would another brand.