Calling all Sota fans.

Meantime, is SOTA actually back producing product? Mijostyn has been waiting many months for his Cosmos. No doubt they were negatively affected by the pandemic like many other small companies.

Mijo, You are correct in thinking that the Phoenix Engineering speed controller, which was adapted for use in the Eclipse option, sees the motor as a 3-phase AC synchronous device.  Yet both SOTA and Bill Carlin refer to the new Eclipse motor as a DC type.  I got hung up on the same question. 

mijostyn

I have stated on many occasions that the Dohmann Helix is my ultimate turntable.

Yes, but have you actually seen or heard one yet? Because without that, your enthusiasm and endorsement don't mean much.

My completed Cosmos Vacuum with a Schroder CB arm cost me just shy of $14,000 including a dust cover and reflex clamp.

Great news! I thought you were still waiting for delivery.

@lewm , I have no idea why. It is a 3 phase AC synchronous motor. Synchronous motors are best for turntables because they will automatically adjust torque to maintain the speed dictated by the AC signal they are given. It happens instantaneously. I suspect they are just miss-informed. 

Sota has been producing tables, but at a slower pace. They can't find help like the rest of us. People would rather stay home on unemployment comp. Of course those are the people you do not want to hire anyway.
My table is currently being built although I can't get an estimate out of Donna as to when it will be delivered. Can't wait, I have something like 20 new records to play!

@cleeds, I have seen a Helix but not heard one. I am very familiar with MinusK platforms. The Helix is a MinusK platform with turntable stuff mounted on top. My enthusiasm and endorsement is based purely on the Dohmann's design characteristics. It has or will have all of the features I care about in a turntable. Others may have different criteria or prefer taking advice from other people. 

Yes, finally. I put my deposit in 8 months ago and I sold my old Sota at about the same time. This is the longest period of time in my entire life from the age of 4 that I have not been able to play a record. Boggles the mind.