Developing A List Of Tonearm Candidates For A SOTA Turntable

I've just installed a Funk Firm FX3 on my Sota Sapphire.   The FX3 uses the Rega 3 point arm mounting board that's available from Sota.     You should add Funk Firm FX3 to your list!

I had an SME V on my Sota which didn't work even with pro setup.....moved on.

@dover Thanx, I had not heard that. I am in no big hurry to step away from the CB. I would have to take a big leap in capability to make a change and it would be to a Schroder LT or Reed 5T, but both would require another turntable or a major reengineering of the SOTA. If I can do it in a reversible fashion I might try it.

All Tonearms of a certain design choice and purchase value, should as a tool be able to show how the tool is capable of being a mechanical interface, that is able to to enable the mechanical activities occurring within Mounted Cartridge to function in a way, that produces an accuracy of relaying on the groove modulation energy to be transferred.

Where the transferred energy, which after an early in energy paths journey, undergoes conversion, continues on with the energy transferral as an Electrical Signal undergoing further conversions in amplification to the journeys end point.

Where the Speaker Driver is receiving the Amplified Signal and is to function as another  mechanical interface, where this Speaker Function is responsible for producing an End Sound.

In most cases the End Sound produced is Very Comprehensible, Stimulating and able to be enjoyed as a means to produce a form of entertainment.

In many many cases the entertainment that is being achieved is usually enough, where the only time a change may be sought is when a tool in use that is a sacrificial part is approaching the last period of its suggested optimised usage period. 

Where the division seemingly comes from in relation to Tonearms being used as a Tool, is seemingly how the Tonearm is seen to be a mechanical match for a particular Phono Cartridge Design. Alternatively how the Tonearm is perceived by the individual through their experiencing it in use and assessment of the Tool for the designs inherent properties influence on the end sound being produced.

It seems that the individuals assessments of a particular Tonearm suggests that the Tonearm function is able to influence the Cartridges Function.

The individuals assessment again 'seems' to hinge on their perception of the Modulation Energy being produced and transferred, converted to an electrical signal, being an optimised energy as a result of the choices made for the Tonearm Cartridge Coupling, or deficient as a result of the coupling of the two tools being used in conjunction for the Mechanical Interface.  

My experience to date, is that a Tonearm can as a tool assist with creating a perception a Cartridge when coupled to it, is able to function in a way where the perception created through experiencing the pairing strongly suggests it is seemingly optimised.

My experiences to date, also have shown that if the other Mechanical Interfaces are not optimised, as per the following:

1, Platter Bearing Spindle function optimised

2,Optimised Energy Management of transferred energies through TT mount Structure and Tonearm Mount Structure. Created through using materials with inherent properties optimal for this role as well as being extremely stable as a material in the environment used.

3, Mounting Structure for above assembly to substantially reduce exposure to receiving Environmental Kinetic Energy Transfer 

My experiences to date allow for me to strongly suggest that there is a need to extend the investigation to what needs to be addressed.

Without the entirety of interfaces being addressed to substantially improve on how energies are managed, a change of Tonearm is most likely to serve in a way that can be expected from putting a Band Aid Plaster on a Gaping Wound.   

Visually all will see a fix has been attempted, but to all who see, even the most inexperienced in such matters, the idea not enough has been done will be quickly deduced.

Only the OP can decide what preparations are in place and their value, as a design to get the best from Cartridges or Tonearms used, in use or to be used.

I admit I'm surprised by the recommendations for the ET arm with a SOTA, although I know that seemed to be a popular combination some years ago.

I would think any arm with more moving mass, such at the ET, would not work correctly with a suspension table.  That is a wide shift in weight from the outer groove to the inner groove.  I had a SOTA Sapphire years ago but don't remember how compliant the suspension.  Possibly firm enough the moving mass of the ET didn't shift things out of balance?

So I'm not saying it doesn't work, but why is it successful if it does work well?