SOTA Millennia - Comments?

FWIW, I owned a Sota Star Sapphire Series III (with vacuum), which was a product of the original Sota company, for most of the 1990s. Even when I owned it, I had the feeling that the bass response was a little on the "woolly" or muddy side and I could always hear pitch instability on piano notes. However, I could never be sure that the problem was due to the SSIII or to the way the particular LP was mastered. Around 2001, I replaced the SSIII with a Nottingham Analog Hyperspace. Listening to the same LPs on the Notts (with the same tonearm and cartridge in both cases, I might add), I came to believe that the SSIII was indeed to blame for the flaws I had perceived. About a year ago, I moved to a Lenco L75 in a custom wood plinth, still with the same tonearm (Triplanar) and now using a Koetsu Urushi. With the Lenco, bass reproduction and piano rendition took another great leap forward vs the Notts. I realize that the Cosmos and the Millenium are new products that supersede the Star Sapphire. They have a lot of avid fans here, so I assume that the problems I heard with the SSIII have been eliminated (altho it is not obvious to me how this was addressed), but it's something to be aware of. Certainly they are both great looking and apparently well made.

Btw,Stiltskin...I never once said "over priced and under performing products for the jaded and clueless".As you seem to think I had.It seems it is "you" who are attempting to single me out for criticism,and I'll bet I can figure out why!

I mentioned absolutely NO names at all.

Can you point that out if I did,in "those" words?It seems it would complement your attitude towards me to use that against me,but you misquoted me!

Any reason why you did so?I'd always thought you to be a pretty nice fellow,so surely you must have some hidden agenda(anger?defense of a friend?a product you thought I might have alluded to?just for the hell of it?).

Being "clueless"(since that seemed to be a catalyst here)does not need to be taken as an insult,and in my case it was meant in sarcasm,because many folks(and it is perfectly fine,btw)are unaware of alternative products,which happen to cost less.I'm one of them!!This "last" sentance was my exact point,and YES,I should have worded it differently.But I'm too angry-:)

"Still",best to you,and let's not get carried away,like I appear to be doing.Hmm,I DO have to get a life myself-:)

Sirspeedy I did understand your point the moment I read it and its certainly an issue no audio media in print or other will ever go.

You've never been known to be lost for words here on Audiogon over the years, thats for sure....

Anyway keep up the good work and forget about it.

Stiltskin I'm happy you express that emotion.I admit to being over the top at times,but honestly my comment was a generalization.Why should I come under attack whem I'm not "specifically" singling anyone out?OK,I can see how "that" can happen-:)

I do happen to know some folks who think more money "always" means better.I was underhandedly speaking to them.You're not wrong to raise an eyebrow,but do you want everything on Audiogon to be strictly "Vanilla" La-de-da?

Anyway,I've always liked you,and was not happy defending my comments in a not very nice way,towards you...BUT...don't change!!This stuff is what makes this forum interesting....

In between the too frequent pandering to the dealers and mfgrs.....(that was meant in jest)

Sorry,I had to get that "generalization" in.

Best to you always...and I mean that!!

Speedy

Good to see you back on audiogon. All we need is Raul to have a real meaty discussion :-)

BTW, I bought my TW Raven as it is one of the the few tables that allows multiple arm's. My VPI HRX and LP12 still play wonderful music as well. And my Aussie Caliburn table was too cheap!!

Federer has a real tough match tonight against Rafa in the Aussie Open. The semi between Rafa and Verdasco was probably the best pure baseline hitting I have ever seen.