What is the best tonearm for a SOTA Nova turntable?

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!

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.

Lol…
I sent Donna and Christian some funds for a rebuild.
I was leaning towards a Korf tone arm, but I stumbled upon a used Schroder CB-9.

But just adding a Garrott bros p77i cartridge had it singing with the old SAEC tone arm and also I added a Korf head shell. That combo, and some DIY phono cable is < $1000, and it’s not bad, and uses the existing MM front end.