DIY TT

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.

6 hours to go was a bit close. So I bid low offer.
Obviously I was tying to not be emotional and not too rushed.

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

You understand incorrectly. |t is a Saphire.

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.

Looks like I have a lot of homework to do in order to understand what makes a good arm and a bad arm.
+ I think that entry level was the 308 and the 317 was a step up?

@holmz If you are interested in a range of DD TT's from various Brands, from a Vintage Era and willing to PM these to me.

I can assist you with a search for some of the items, if this is something you would like a support with.  

Thanks @pindac I will - 

@holmz  : Both are entry level items, SAEC had four other tonearms a top yours. In the early 80's the top of the line had retail price in Jpan of  108,000 Yens and ours 52K and the 308 48K Yens.

In the other side and if you own the Saphire ( you did not say it when posted. ) model maybe could be a good time to send to SOTA or at least ask if exist important up-dates between your unit and the today Saphire model and then keep the SOTA TT change that tonearm and build an external arm pod for your second tonearm and that's it.

In any case you will need ( if you don't have it yet ) a good after market platform  where the SOTA will seated isolated of vibrations/resonances and even that the Saphire has the vacuum hold down characteristic try to find out  " dead " weigth of 200-300grs as a TT clamp even that you could think is redundant it's not and helps.

R.

This could be interesting for SOTA TT owners:

R.