Got notification that the SOTA arm board has been built, and it is heading my way along with the Origin Live Agile tonearm. Fed Ex says it will deliver this coming Wednesday. Now I just have to decide which cartridge to put on it. I have the Transfiguration Proteus, Kiseki Blackheart, and Audio Tekne MC6310 on hand for this.
Developing A List Of Tonearm Candidates For A SOTA Turntable
So this month i sent my SME V off to a new home, and that leaves my SOTA armless. My other table has a schroder CB-1L on it and I have run either an Ortofon Verismo or Transfiguration Proteus on it. I did put both those same cartridges on the SME on the SOTA and it always had a disappointing presentation of harmonics and texture. A monochromatic sound could be the best description I have. Time for another arm.
The SOTA armboard restricts the type of arm that can be installed. The arm types that have a VTA tower and separate pivot point take up too much real estate to fit. So fitting something like a Wheaton, Reed, or Durand does not seem possible. I wondered about elevating the arm board so its level with the top plate, but I am not sure if there is enough room for the want to pivot without removing the dust cover. It is a possibility, but I wonder how it effects the travel of the suspension. and if there are unintended consequences. I have yet to read about any SOTA owners doing this.
So I am trying to put together a list of candidates. I do know some folks appreciate the Origin Live arms, but I am not very well versed in their lineup. I have wondered about the Groovemaster arms also. I have looked at the Moerch, but its kind of a fiddly thing. The point is the table is on the sidelines at the moment because there is no arm in place. I typically shop the used market, but I can be patient and wait for the right arm to come along. The benefit of having more than one table i guess.
Anyone else have any suggestions. Appreciate your thoughts and experiences.
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I like OL arms, I hope you’ll be happy with yours. I started out with the OL silver on a Feickert Volare then moved up to an Illustrious on a OL Resolution. I also owned your Audio Tekne MC6310 and that’s a fantastic cartridge. I sent mine back to the factory for a rebuild and it was a really good experience dealing with the original builder/designer. Anyway, enjoy the arm! |
The Agile tonearm and custom arm board delivered yesterday. I spent a bit of time reading the manual and bolting the arm to the board and placing it on the table. You have to remove a cushion/ spacer in the arm bearing that is used for transit. The arm bearing functions differently than I expected. Familiarized myself with the VTA collar and what to expect from it. Need to mount the tone arm cable strain relief clip and then route wire and bolt down the board. I figure to get this up and going during the weekend. |
@neonknight : Congrats! I’m excited to hear what you think. |
What was there about the SME V that you weren't satisfied with? I run that arm on my primary (VPI TNT V) and secondary (Sota Cosmos) systems and have been very happy with them. Thought of trying a Graham at one point but decided that the differences would be small. Also considered an ET but just wasn't up for that much possible fiddling. |
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