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Worth having my SOTA Sapphire refurbished?

I own a vintage 1986, SOTA Sapphire turntable, fitted with a Linn Basik tone arm, with some sort of old, Audioquest cartridge (it has a red housing). After a lengthy remodel, I am finally getting ready to unpack my stereo system once again and get it set up. I have miles and miles of beloved vinyl. :-) My listening room is on the small side. I value transparency and imaging over sheer volume.

Associated equipment includes a PS Audio Elite Plus integrated amplifier (I think it has 70 W per channel). I recently sold my old Vandersteen 2C speakers here on Audiogon (for space reasons in the new house) and am looking to replace them with Regas or Paradigms, probably monitors (but that a whole other question)!

Anyway, the SOTA probably needs some inspecting and tuning. I think that the motor and bearing are okay, but I'm guessing that the suspension springs need adjusting or replacing; I think they're a little stretched out.

SOTA has an inspection and tune-up/repair service. Have any of you ever used it? I'd have to ship the table off to them, and, apparently, pay for return shipping as well (I do have the original box) and the table weighs around 50 pounds in the box.

By the time I do all of this and buy a new cartridge, to boot, I'm looking at quite a chunk of change. Do you think I'm better off selling the SOTA and putting the money toward, say, a new Rega P2? Please, no flames; I've been out of the active high-end scene for many years, so I have no idea how those tables compare.

Anyway, all advice appreciated.
rebbi
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
I think getting your SOTA tuned up and back to snuff is a great place to start. Ditto with keeping the PS Audio integrated. PS Audio was particularly good with phono stages, and a lot of mid-'80s phono gear was really good, Amber and VSP Labs being a couple other good examples.

I was going to suggest a pair of Sequerra Metronomes (plus a little powered sub) from Acoustic Sounds to replace your Vandersteens, but it looks like they're not selling those anymore.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,475 posts
 
My take...Keep the Sota...its better than the less expensive Regas (which are very good). I can't believe you don't like the Vandersteen sound....
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
06-02-08: Stringreen
... I can't believe you don't like the Vandersteen sound....
I got the impression that he liked the Vandersteen sound, but no longer had the space for them. That's why I recommended the Sequerra Metronomes for that time-aligned design, but it seems that they're now not to be found. :-(
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Oh, gosh, I ADORED those Vandersteens! Spacious, ample, precise bass response, gorgeous mid-range... I hated to part with them. But Johnnyb53 is correct. Since our remodel, my listening room is a lot smaller, and the "spousal acceptance factor" just wasn't there, especially since my listening room will double as a guest room. Visually, the Vandersteens just took over the room. So I'm looking for something in a smallish tower or monitors on stands. Hence I'm considering the Regas or something from Paradigm. I need to keep the speaker purchase under $750 the pair or so.

So, so far the consensus seems to be "tune up the SOTA," eh?

By the way, speaker recommendations welcomed, as well. ;-)
chashmal
605 posts
 
Dump the Linn Basik arm. I hate that arm. Get a Rega. Good value.
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