What is the best tonearm for a SOTA Nova turntable?

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

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.

@gyneguy225 

+1

 I've heard that the ET2 is not a good match with the SOTA, and may be the weak point in my analog chain.

Not true, I ran a Sota with ET2 for a number of years - it is a great combination.

The SOTA has a balanced hanging suspension and is much more stable than TT's like the Linn where the platter/arm sit on top of the springs.

You will have to spend a lot of money to get a better arm.

If you do want to go to a convection pivoted arm I would suggest the Kuzma 4Point 9 - one of the best arms around regardless of price. If you want a cheaper arm the Audiomods Classic or 6 punch well above their weight.

The Allnic is a good phono - why not just get it serviced and buy a new set of decent tubes.

The ET2 was actually a pretty common pairing with SOTA Star. But I had one on a Merrill Heirloom (a much jumpier suspension), without the silicon damping, and it was very nerve-wracking to use! From what I could tell the ET2 sounded pretty damn good though. Just more of a hassle to use.

I got my Star III with a Fidelity Research FR64fx and it really feels like the perfect partner. Looks great too! Since then I’ve got a Clearaudio that supports multiple arms and I’ve played with Graham Phantom and CA Universal - but I prefer the sound of the 64fx with most cartridge combinations.

I’ve since had the Star rebuilt as a Nova V, and kept a 64fx on it. Wonderful match!