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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.

neonknight
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rauliruegas
13,046 posts
 

Dear @audio_rd_uk  :  I have not your knowlege levels and skills, I'm a mere "mortal ".

 

" to be repeatable I would also have to note a reference of label orientation to a reference mark on the platter so as not to alter the relative peaks and troughs of the setting that I considered "the one".  "

 

I did it in my comparison tests whole proccess with the LP tracks choosedfor those tests/comparisons and I did it only with those LPs and I did it many years ago when a gentleman in Agon commented about and I did it and made comparisons by listening changing the LP label positions and certainly we can aware of the sounds changes.

Yes,all is through my ears and today I need to revamp about because it makes an audible differences.. Thank's to posted.

R.

bibliojim
4 posts
 

Would anyone be able to offer an informed opinion on whether the Fidelity Research FR-64S arm would work on a SOTA Star Sapphire?

audio_rd_uk
35 posts
 

@rauliruegas   No 'immortals' here, simply applying engineering rigour in consideration to all the contributing factors, especially when there are those that outweigh direct VTA/SRA adjustment in their quantum.

I had just incorporated it into my consideration because when I get a turntable I have a laser test and then if required a dial test for quantum. But I am unsurprised to find that others had already considered the warp / platter peak to trough orientation and found it made, as one would expect a difference being close to / higher in quantum than the resolution of the cartridge manufacturers specification.   

My follow up question would be, given you heard differences in those you tested.  Did the quantum of the variation persuade you to expand your test set and incorporate the "record to patter warp matching" in your daily playing alongside SRA if you adjust.   Or do you have a 'compromise' optimum for your normal range as I do?

 

 

 

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