2. analog
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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
gyneguy225 OP
93 posts
 

Let me listen to the new cartridge and maybe I can answer your question.

ghdprentice
6,957 posts
 

I don’t think it will cost you a fortune. I would do the table upgrades. Then see where you are… a used Audio Research PH8 would really upgrade your analog end. I would imagine that would be around $8K. Then if it isn’t there a cartridge for $3K. 

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

I don’t think it will cost you a fortune. I would do the table upgrades. Then see where you are… a used Audio Research PH8 would really upgrade your analog end. I would imagine that would be around $8K. Then if it isn’t there a cartridge for $3K. 

I sprung for the TT rebuild.

But I am not sure I would spend 8k$ on a phono stage without figuring out if the arm is a keeper or not.

And realistically just a new head shell and MM cart totally transformed many of the aspects of what was wrong with the system… and that was <1k$.

I think listening and then going from there is a wise move to ease into it.

But then again I looked at my age and at the calendar and thought, I best enjoy this stuff now. 

ghdprentice
6,957 posts
 

Btw, my expectation was the $8K was for both the rebuild ($3K) plus the purchase of a used ARC PH8 ($5K) phono stage. I am not sure that would change @Holmz comments… but that was what I intended to say.

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

Btw, my expectation was the $8K was for both the rebuild ($3K) plus the purchase of a used ARC PH8 ($5K) phono stage. I am not sure that would change @Holmz comments… but that was what I intended to say.

I got it, but it’ll be north of 10k with the cartridge…

I cannot comment on whether the rebuild is needed or is a good idea.
(I ordered it, but it is not in yet.)

However my TT sounds pretty good still, with just a cart and new head shell. And I am not not sure one needs a high $ phono stage unless a LOMC is in the picture.

so as he already has a cart to listen to, then we should await the conclusions.

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