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Rega P3 vs SOTA Comet III

Looking at a turntable upgrade...going from the base Pro-Ject model (essential), and have narrowed it down to a Rega P3 (current model with RB330) or a SOTA Comet (series III with RB 300). The Rega comes with an exact 2 cart and can be had for $1,100, the Comet, being a series III feels like a steal at $600, but comes without a cartridge.

For context, system is:

Vandersteen 3a signatures, powered by audio research D300, Denon 4700h pre, and Pro-Ject tube box phono stage.

So all things considered, Rega P3 vs Sota Comet series III? I respect this forum and grateful for any feedback/opinions.

128x128mattsaunders2000
holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 
  1. Lifetime warranty
  2. Simplicity of set up (with Rega cartridges)
  3. I appreciate their application of the low mass turntable
  1. That is a good point.
    1. My 38 year old Sota has need a few belts…And I decided on a rebuild… it is not a comet though.
    2. There is support, and the things now come from the Wisconsin, which is most cheese affeciandos know is part of the US.
  2. It is not uncommon for people charge carts at some point.
    1. I have to be at least on my 5th cart, if not more.
    2. It is also not unheard of for people to “”upgrade” or change the tonearm. So simplicity may seem like a benefit, but I am not sure in the fullness of time it is??
  3. The other Sota tabes are a more of a “High Mass” turntable.

My signals get coupled to the air with 2C speakers… and it sounds pretty o’rioght.
The Rega would probably sound dandy to.

I am pretty sure that the Comet is more of an entry table…
 

You either need to listen to em, or just roll the dice.
Or use prophesying skills to figure if you should not get a TT, or splurge and get the TT you would be upgrading to from the Comet or Rega.

So it is kind of an “I dunno” shrug to recommend what to do in a some sage way.

yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,655 posts
 

SOTA!

https://worldofturntables.com/sota-comet-series-iii-turntable-review-hearing-test/

williewonka
3,075 posts
 

+1 for the SOTA, but I would change the Rega arm to an Audomods arm, with a one piece harness and KLE Innovations RCA plugs

I’ve had the older Series III with the Micometer VTA Adjustment for about 12 years and never looked back

  • its one of the few arms out there where the anti skate actually works as advertised

The new Audiomods arms are even better - even has  Azimuth Adjustment now

Regards - Steve

rblondeau
28 posts
 

Late response, but I figured I'd chime in. I have the P3 and replaced the Exact cart. To my ears, it accentuated surface noise, the bottom end wasn't as robust as I wanted, and the highs were too high. I replaced it with a Denon 103. Huge difference! Almost all surface noise has been diminished or eliminated with the Denon. It just sounds better to my ears. I'm in the market for a new TT and Sota is at the top of my list.  

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,797 posts
 

I bought the Sota Escape , I almost pulled the trigger on a P3.   The Rega was nice, I listened to one locally.  

For not much more I bought the Sota.   The Escape has a Sapphire bearing and the Condor Motor controller. 

I bought an open box and saved $600.   It was equipped with an Origin Live Silver arm which is really nice.   It is a little more than the Comet 

I love this table.   I have been playing a ton of LPs and it sounds great.  

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