DIY TT

I got the Garrott Bros p77i running today, and played 20 LPs (parts of them anyhow).
It was pretty enjoyable, and that cartridge was sounding pretty nice.

There is the eclipse more and roadrunner option for the Sota, and I was expecting that to be able to be done in the field. I do have a lathe and access to most shop tools… but we will see, and the idea of a long shipment is distressing.

But as it is playing now, I am a but happier than yesterday.

Pindac, I did some research on line.  From what I can tell, the DP80 was optionally equipped with a gunmetal platter MAT by some end users.  Not a gunmetal platter.  There was back and forth discussion of the benefits or lack thereof, on Audiokarma. Perhaps that is what you meant.

Like it (Mijostyn) or not (me), a Sota Sapphire in a different plinth (or "cover") is still a Sota Sapphire.  Not much innovation or creativity is involved.  I thought Holmz wanted to start from scratch. The best thing one could do for a Sota Sapphire is to equip it with the Sota Eclipse mod.  That would be a much bigger benefit to its performance than would a new plinth. My opinion, of course.

I had used the A&R Cambridge P77 many years past and have still go the main body stored.

This was the Cartridge that I felt was most impressive out of other MM's when used on my Belt Drive TT and in the early stages of my use of Idler Drives.

When I am done with my MC days, when the ears don't justify the expense of purchasing one.

I will be trying out the P77 once more, with a new Cantilever and Stylus along with my AT - 150's and HOMC's I have in the Cart' collection.

To be clear, I did not intend to say that the SOTA sapphire is uncreative ; I meant that to start with one and only replace the cover (see Mijo definition of cover) does not involve innovation with respect to the starting material. 

Dear @holmz  : " a low bid for a DQX, which was declined..."

Looks like you really did not want to buy it and is at a bargain price. No, problem fine with me.

Now, I understand that your SOTA is not the Saphire model or at least you don't stated that way.

Anyway and obviously is up to you. I can't understand why you want to go for a  TT:

"" which appears like it might be able to slide out and mount into a homemade base? ""

when today ( including SOTA. ) exist several TT/tonearms that can match your today needs and future LOMC cartridge.

Exist something that do'nt fulfill your way of thinking with today great TT/tonearms that impedes you go for it?

In the other side is weird that you don't make any comment in the most important and critical  " partner " of any cartridge: the tonearm. You own the entry level of knife bearing SAEC tonearm and if I were you and before the TT I change that saec for a way better tonearm specially for the LOMC cartridges.

Any one of us is a unique human been with our exclusive way to " see " things and I respect your " see " of the analog world.

I think you already have all options any one can ask for and for me I think that the " ball " is in your " court ". Tha's me, maybe other audiophiles can tink that you need more information so go a head.

R.