Calling all Sota fans.

@garkat62 

I don't know if the analysis can be as simple as A>B>C or anything along those lines. When you get to upper tier tables and analog equipment in general my experience is they sound more similar than different as they succeed in removing so many causes of coloration that effects analog playback. The next thing that comes into play is that very few systems are set up with the exact same high end arms, cartridges, and phono stages so that only the drive unit can be isolated and evaluated. Couple that with the fact that certain arms, and therefore certain cartridges can shine on one type of table architecture but possibly not another. So how do you really create a level playing field to evaluate these tables?

The best most of us common people can hope for is a chance to hear an analog package that contains the table we are interested in, and have it in a quality system and make our mind up based on what we hear and what we need or appreciate in analog playback. 

For me the SOTA Cosmos Eclipse w a SME V and Transfiguration Audio Proteus is a fine analog playback system, one of the better ones I have heard. With that being said I also enjoy a Scheu Analog Das Laufwerke No 2, and that is a completely different design concept, yet performs at a similar level. 

At some point you have to make a choice based on what your preferences are and immerse yourself in the experience. 

I have had extensive listening experience with the Doehmann helix in the context of a very high end system that belonged to my neighbor. His phono stage was the Ypsilon plus either the Ypsilon SUT or an EMIA SUT.. Cartridges were top of the line Lyra. Schroeder tonearm. It was truly sublime. 

@garkat62,
While, not quite in the top $ sphere you're discussing, I did replace a Technics SP10mkII with EPA250 arm with a Sota Nova VI and an Audiomods Series V arm. The reason for the change was a cross-country relocation with a temp. housing period(no stereo) along the way. I preferred to sell the Technics to a local friend and regroup after getting resettled. 

When I was ready to make a purchase in the new locale, I shied away from another SP10, but not because I didn't love it's sound; I did. My concern was diligence and energy it would take to find a fair deal on one and the time/cost/trouble of getting it up to snuff and keeping it that way. 

After much consideration of many of the usual suspects, I decided the Nova 6 made sense for me for many of the reasons mentioned above: The proven vacuum hold-down & suspension, the mag bearing, the increased bracing and the Phoenix speed controller/tach offer a ton of performance for the money. By comparison the SME and Kuzma tables just didn't IMHO offer near the value. The 4point arm is still something on my wishlist! 

Now I know your next question is SP10mkII vs. Nova6 SQ. Unfortunately I couldn't compare them side by side, or with the same cart, phono stage, nor room. I can say that both are extremely satisfying with some pros/cons.

Sota: Set it and forget it. Takes 1-2 seconds to get up to speed. Tachometer confirms speed stability/accuracy...never a concern. Warped records are conquered. Impervious to footfalls and probably earthquakes. Beautiful wood cabinetry. Limited to tonearms ~10.5". Upgrade path for future improvements should be viable for many years. SQ is engaging, musical, with great tonality, pace, holographic and dynamic in my system.
Great, personal service from Donna & team at Sota.  

SP10mkII: Instant start/stop. With the obsidian plinth, looks okay, but not nearly as nice as with top after-market plinths available at considerable cost. EPA250 arm had fantastic SLR-like feel for VTA adjustment, superior usability to most modern arms. Removable headshell made for easy cart swapping...sonic impact can be debated elsewhere. High torque made for great rhythmic drive, some of that perception might have been placebo effect. Trouble potential for any future service needs was always a dark cloud over my shoulder. 

With the new Technics models, I read that the $4K model didn't compare to the SP10mkII, and the $10K model struck me as not great value, so neither got much consideration.  The SP-mkIII is still a wishlist item and might be the best value of them all if you found one well-restored by someone you trust. There's plenty of "IF"s there...

For your situation, I think you'll have to spend a fair amount more than the cost of the Cosmos to get something that has a chance to sound a tad better. You'll have to spend a great deal more to find something that betters the Sota's suspension and vacuum hold-down and sounds better. Also, don't forget the old coach's adage, "there's no ability greater than availability". Cheers,
Spencer

@sbank , @neonknight , You both have it exactly right. In order to get significantly better performance than a Cosmos Eclipse Vacuum you have to spend $72,000 on a Dohmann Helix and Schroder LT tonearm. This is the next step for me if the money becomes available. If not than I am not in what you would call a bad place.

@lewm, isn't that something! A turntable from a designer built on the concept that complete isolation is the key to the best high end turntable. 
I was itching to stretch for it but the vacuum system had not been completely designed, then Mark told me he was also working on a dust cover. I stepped back and figured I'd go for one once it had those two important issues settled. It was a good thing because COVID cut my income severely forcing me to spend reserves. 

Jerry - I think you missed that fitting tangential arms to the SOTA is possible and that many SOTA dealers were ET or Souther dealers. I prefer the ET2 on a vac hold down SOTA and will most likely head in that direction IF a nice ET2 comes my way…..