For me, I bought my SOTA table used, and as it turns out, it cost about the same as my new Hagerman Trumpet MC phono pre. My arm and cartridge were more expensive than each.
SOTA Sapphire III (used) 20%
Jelco 850 MKII arm (new) 25%
Soundsmith MIMC cart (new) 35%
Hagerman Trumpet MC phono pre (new) 20%
That is just how mine ’shook out’. IMO, I do think in most cases, the cart is most important to spend a significant amount on. I use other carts very occasionally, but the Soundsmith MIMC makes it all better. That said, had my SOTA Sapphire been new, it would have been closer to 44% of the cost (or more), all others remaining the same. And the table is significant as well. It all is.
SOTA Sapphire III (used) 20%
Jelco 850 MKII arm (new) 25%
Soundsmith MIMC cart (new) 35%
Hagerman Trumpet MC phono pre (new) 20%
That is just how mine ’shook out’. IMO, I do think in most cases, the cart is most important to spend a significant amount on. I use other carts very occasionally, but the Soundsmith MIMC makes it all better. That said, had my SOTA Sapphire been new, it would have been closer to 44% of the cost (or more), all others remaining the same. And the table is significant as well. It all is.