SOTA STAR Sapphire Turntable Care and Feeding

Since I missed my chance for a local SOTA Star Sapphire turntable, I'm obsessing about getting one.  And spousal approval has not been withdrawn yet so I need to act expeditiously.  I've noticed some are vacuum and others non-vacuum.  How much improvement is the vacuum over the non-vacuum turntable?  Is the vacuum unit more of a hassle than it's worth?

Since I missed my chance for a local SOTA Star Sapphire turntable, I’m obsessing about getting one. And spousal approval has not been withdrawn yet so I need to act expeditiously. I’ve noticed some are vacuum and others non-vacuum. How much improvement is the vacuum over the non-vacuum turntable? Is the vacuum unit more of a hassle than it’s worth?

Star (sometimes called "Star Sapphire") is the older vacuum model. Most or all of them should have vacuum, but their original patters have the older style (short, stiff) rubber lips which I DOUBT will make a good enough vacuum seal today. I really think you’d either want a new platter installed by SOTA, or cut the old lip off and use without vacuum clamping. If you do the latter, the Star model still has the big advantage of a 4-point suspension versus old plain Sapphire models (3-point). Also the old Stars usually have a more premium full-wood chassis with some really gorgeous exotic woods (my favorites: Koa, Macassar Ebony, Rosewood). I don’t understand why anyone ever ordered these tables in hideous yellow oak or boring black ash.

Nova is the newer Star. Some of these had the option to forgo vacuum. But the ones that do, should have the newer style platter (good). If you find a good deal on this, go for it.

Even without vacuum, the Star (or Nova) is a fantastic table. I enjoyed the hell out of my Star III, with vacuum bypassed, until I had it rebuilt to Nova V a few years ago. In hindsight, for the money spent, I would’ve just kept it as a III - or maybe just have SOTA install a new vacuum platter. You can do more a-la-cart upgrades, or even a full rebuild (keeping just the chassis), but this will run up the costs VERY quickly.

Thanks for the info.  Good to know you have the option of getting an elderly vacuum model and able to get the vacuum refurbished in the future.

Considering the exchange of material used for the TT's Structure would be a move that can prove extremely beneficial.

To exchange the Aluminium Base for a Phenolic Resin Impregnated Densified Wood, will have the potential to catapult this TT forward as a design. 

There are Big Name Manufacturers already adopting this material over Metals. 

Sota sells restored turntables. The advantage buying there or from a reputable dealer is it is going to be in top condition.. no surprises.