Turntable Decision


So, I want to try a spring isolated turntable. Considering a SOTA Sapphire, Michell Gyro SE or Orbe, or used Linn Sondek LP12 (90's edition). Will be in one of two systems: Herron phono pre-Conrad Johnson pre- Pass amp - B&W speakers; or Parasound Halo JC3+ phono pre, Raven Osprey integrated, Harbeth speakers.

Thoughts based on real life experience?

Thanks.

    -GAR
gareents
@dennis041992, please start a new separate thread with your question instead of highjacking OP's question. No disrespect intended. All the replies will be pointed towards helping you. Cheers,
Spencer
@gareents , 
Another Sota endorsement here. I have a Nova VI, like in the linked review above. It's great, and Donna and team provided a great experience. Jelco's are nice arms, but I share the same concerns with them having shutdown. The 850 was one of those I closely considered, but instead bought an Audiomods Series V with micrometer tower and silver wiring(one strand from cartridge to RCA jacks. The mount using Rega geometry, as they are radically modified from the original Rega designs, in that respect like Origin Live. But Audiomods has great service and support and continue to evolve their products. Donna had no problem providing an armboard for my Audiomods arm. You can see pics of both on my system page. Cheers,
Spencer
@sbank , another happy Sound Labs/ Sota guy! Great minds hear alike:-). 

meldiscman, I owned an Oracle for a year or so. It is a pretty turntable but like the Linn LP12 it has a stability problem and it is not nearly as nice to use as a Sota. They recently added damping wells to the design and this may have improved things a bit. For a similar price you can get a Sota with vacuum clamping which takes everything to the next level. It will not flatten severe warps but most records do not have severe warps. Do this experiment. Put a test record on and place a dime under the edge of the record. Play a 1000 Hz test tone. You will easily hear the tone warble especially if your vertical bearing is above record surface level. It does not take much warping to cause very audible effects. Vacuum clamping pulls the record down onto the flat surface of the platter with rather obvious results. Perhaps sbanks will comment on this as his Nova is a vacuum version. 
of those the Sota for sure, the most neutral sounding of the bunch that will not be too much of a good thing and make for the best synergy with either system.  pick a lively neutral cartridge. 
my personal choice would be a technics G with lyra delos cart.  
the gyro is super cool though, i almost could care less how it sounds.  
Buy a used Gyro or Orbe SE. Apply all the Pedersen mods. Now you're in SME territory at a fraction of the price.

https://www.pedersensgyro.dk/home