Sota or Technics


Hello all, first time post here. 
I am in the market for a new TT under 2k. I've narrowed it down to the Sota Comet and the Technics 1200GR.
Going to use a $300 to $500 MM cart. 
System consists of NAD533 TT (currently). NAD pre amp, Cambridge Phono pre amp, Mac 240 amp, TDL compact monitors. 
Sota i like as it uses the 330 tonearm, is built in the states, solid rep, solid support, is pleasing to the eye.
Technics I like as it's built like a tank, seems more plug and play has a good rep and looks good too. (more bells and whistles, both positive and negatives there)
Obviously they are different in some ways. Direct drive vs belt etc..
Was wondering if anyone had an opinion either way on either deck. Greatly appreciate any feedback.
Thank you
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xdoyle3433
Tonearm is most important, assuming the table spins at the right speed. You can always add isolation or put it on a wall shelf.

As the OP mentioned it is a Rega RB330, not 300, and this was a nice improvement a few years ago.

I’d get the Sota between the two, but if it were me, I’d go with a Rega P6, or if I could, stretch for the P8 and get an even better arm and table for $2600 if you could get a 15% discount, which are out there. That could be your last turntable.
I am enjoying these posts of Sota vs Technicsh. As a recent owner of a Sota, I should mention that the company has gone through several iterations, but continues with their excellent customer service and products. I did find the discussion incomplete in as much as the newest iterations shows the Cosmos as the top of the line with thicker aircraft aluminum and inclusion of a new 3 phase motor that can be purchased extra but comes with the Cosmos. So I am not sure the Saphire remains top of their line. I do know that the quality of build continues and the stability that mijostyn speaks to compared not only to Technics but many other TTs. I couldn't be more pleased with my Cosmos and can recommend without reservations. 
Sokogear, walls vibrate just as much as floors. Wall shelves are at best flimsy. Yes, you can buy isolation. A MinusK stand costs $5000.00 
A Sota Sapphire costs $3500 and along with the Nova and Cosmos make up some of the best isolated tables you can buy competing with tables costing many times as much. There are many well isolated tables to choose from coming from Thorens, SME, Avid, Oracle, Basis, TechDas, Kuzma, Dohmann and Sota. They achieve a level of clarity and stability impossible in an unsuspended table. None of them are direct drive. 
Not sure why this is. I can easily envision a suspended direct drive table with a taller platter/longer shaft distancing the motor from the cartridge.
Some day someone will make it.
@mijostyn - I disagree with you. Walls do not jump with foot falls. I have a P8 on a wall shelf on top of a Townshend seismic isolation platform. So it is pretty damn isolated. The solid steel shelf is directly screwed into 4 studs and believe me - it is not going anywhere, especially since my table weighs only 10 pounds. That's why Rega sells shelves. Mine is a Project since it accommodates my tru-lift.

That may not be quite as good as an SME (or others costing >$5K with arm) but having an RB 880 arm is excellent. I think we agree on most points though. SOTA has had some ups and downs. Rega is not going anywhere (or is Technics, VPI, and a few others). I tend to not want to get involved with a boutique turntable vendor.

If I wanted to spend some mad $$ on a $5K+ table, I would look at all your choices that are stable companies.

I'm not a DD fan, but I think it is a good concept if executed properly. Hard to separate the motor though. The devil is in the details. I heard about a new VPI DD table that is supposedly excellent, but it is up there in price and I do not like unipivot arms and I think their Fatboys that are 3D printed are crap. I guess you could put a 3rd party arm on it, but I like buying an arm and table that are designed for each other if possible. I think turntable nirvana is a top SME.


@sokogear, Get a stethoscope and listen to the wall with your system running. The Townsend platform is certainly a step in the right direction but it is not as effective as a good suspension or a MinusK platform.
If you had a Sota you could put it anywhere in the room, on a collapsible card table and it would have superior isolation to what you are doing.
I think however under the circumstances you are doing the best you can with the resources you have. So, I know you have an appreciation of what isolation means to a turntable. In the future when you feel like upgrading you have a direction to head in. I think you should consider one of the tables I mentioned above. In the mean while the P8 is a great value and it has a good arm.