SOTA NOVA, HR-X VPI, Technics 1200G recommendations?

Hey @lewm, what's your ranking on amazon for the book you just wrote?

TIME OUT!!! Round over. Everyone back to there corners. I can't bare to see this thread degrade.
@chungjh , I may be somewhat unique relative to this conversation because I've owned close to all 3 of what you're considering. Over the last decade, my turntable has evolved from VPI TNT6HR w/12.5, 12.7 arm to Technics SP10MkII w/ Technics EPA-250 arm and now to Sota Nova Series VI w/Eclipse speed control package & Audiomods Series V arm w/micrometer. 
IHME, you've got two options, the Sota & Technics. Both I would rank far ahead of the VPI. Between those two, a number of valid points have been made, and it's gonna take some soul searching about your personal preferences to reach a decision. 

Sota pros: Great personal support if you need it. That includes custom armboards for any tonearm you choose now and later. Fabulous wood cabinet options, if that's your thing. See my system pics :-) Vacuum hold-down & clamping system is proven, and hard to beat. The suspension is proven and hard to beat. Heck, after trying 10 clamps on my Technics, I ended choosing the Sota clamp. Upgradability to future enhancements protects your investment. Agree that the structural integrity improvements are worthwhile. Mag lev platter is a joy and not the exaggerated quirk some may be envisioning. 
Of course my comments on SQ reflect the arm & cart too...so YMMV, but I find it smooth, effortless, natural with great musicality. It totally gets out of the way and lets you focus on the music. Speed stability is great with the Eclipse controller & tachometer.
Listening to Nick Cave - Alone at Alexandra Palace. It's so spooky and engaging, I keep pausing my typing because it's demanding my attention. 

Sota cons: I don't love the interface UX design of the new buttons. One button toggles 33/45 with short press and also power on/off when depressed longer. It remembers the speed used last. Occasionally I find I've inadvertently switched speed. A minor quibble, but I'd prefer separate buttons for 33 vs 45, like some of the older models. Typical belt drive issues that plague them all; with belt wear over time, speed stability is at risk; the controller offsets this IMHO. 

Technics pros(SP10mkII in Technics obsidian plinth) instant start/stop, high torque, rock solid speed stability. Big, fast, dynamic sound. The removable headshell on the EPA-250 made for easy cartridge switching if you're into that. I had a lot of fun experimenting & comparing many carts when I owned my Technics. If you're into tweaking, your efforts will be rewarded.

Technics cons: Really needs pricey/rare-ish aftermarket(e.g. copper) platter mat to sound it's best. Caution: your final platter height may affect your tonearm mounting as it relates to height/VTA. No suspension. Really needs high quality platform/rack and/or isolation. Aftermarket platter rings are not an option with stock platter, warped LPs may be an issue. Armboard fit/finish varies widely, depending on source. Overall materials look/feel didn't strike me as high end, if that matters to you; it's plain with looks that give no indication of its performance. It's a far cry from the gorgeous variants you'll see from Steve Dobbins or Oswalds Mill. 

VPI - PM me if you want my thoughts. Let's just say I've owned them, set them up for friends, dealt with them over numerous setup/service questions and IMHO, they aren't in this day and age in the same league. 

Cheers,
Spencer

@sbank 

Seems like you are making all valid points. What tonearm/cartridge are you using with your SOTA? 

@chungjh  Audiomods Series V with the optional silver wire tip-to-tip and the micrometer. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/133

Cheers,
Spencer

I have had two Sota Turntables over the span of 39 years. My latest is a Star Vacuum Series VI. It was a series V until the motor died. So I had them upgrade it. The speed is stable in terms of both setpoint and w&f. My older Sota Sapphire Series III with the Pabst DC motor had speed variation and I ended up modifying the suspension to reduce w&f which made it sound much better but it would still have a different set point every time I turned it off and back on.
The Series VI is an A/C motor vs. the Eclipse being DC. I thought about going with the Eclipse but decided to keep cost down and also minimize the modifications. I’m very happy with my choice.
But regarding the excellent isolation properties of the Sota turntables. Over these many years I discovered that the Sota turntable can still benefit from additional isolation. I wanted to share that. I also have tried using the points (or Cones) on the three legs but I went back to the rubber feet. I prefer the sound with the rubber feet. My new favorite isolation configuration is a carbon fiber plate on 4 ISO Acoustics feet. Wood boards work well too. Do NOT put the Sota on a granite slab. I thought that would have been a good thing for the extra mass, but the sound is terrible.
The vacuum improves bass response and also makes the background blacker- at least I think so. But I also like the vacuum because I have a few records that are not perfectly flat and while the clamp alone helps the vacuum platter makes every record perfectly flat.