2. analog
  3. 179574-83759

What is the best tonearm for a SOTA Nova turntable?

I haven't played an LP for a while now. I've moved from CD's to streaming both Tidal and my own rips from a Roon Nucleus plus. My SOTA Nova with an ET2 arm has been sitting idle along with hundreds of high quality LP's. I've heard that the ET2 is not a good match with the SOTA, and may be the weak point in my analog chain. (SOTA-ET2-Lyra Kleos -Allnic 1201 phono stage- ARC Ref6- PS Audio-BHK300 amps-Reference 3a Grand Veena speakers and unnamed sub system. 

My digital system with a Holo May DAC and Roon with HQP trounces the analog system pretty soundly.

I'd like to resurrect the analog system as I have read that I'm missing out not using it.

My question is, where can I make the most improvement for the least cash outlay?

I'd like to keep the SOTA table, but everything else is expendable.

Thanks in advance for some help.

-John

gyneguy225
solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 

Primary Control ( Netherlands ) is making some amazing tonearms. 

Allnic 1201 is very good for its cost, however is a weak link IMHO.

gyneguy225 OP
93 posts
 

Thanks for the advice. I'm thinking about selling the Allnic 1201 and replacing it with the PS Audio Stellar phono preamp which is only $2400 new with a 30 day return policy. I like that it has balanced outputs and that Michael Fremmer thought it was a good buy.  The tonearm you recommended is a bit too exotic for me. I couldn't find a list price, but if it's custom made in the Netherlands, it will break my bank.

The ET2 is a floating tangential design which I've always liked, but it's not very good on a turntable with floating subchasis . The SME,Graham or Triplanar would be more appropriate.

solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 

Triplanar is more costly than the Primary Control Arrow fyi, but is also a good one :)

As far as phono goes its always worth trying when there is an easy return but I would keep the allnic around to compare. Not sure the PS Audio would be a hands down winner, maybe just different...

With a table and cart such as you have, phono preamp will really be critical to allow  everything to achieve best results. 

Solypsa

gyneguy225 OP
93 posts
 

I've considered an ARC Ref3 phono preamp. It's expensive but if it improves my system as much as the ARCRef6 preamp did, it's worth it.

-What a pipe dream.

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