Turntable/Tonearm Advice

Thanks, Rockinrobin. Your comments are very helpful. Anything to say about the SOTA vacuum? Virtually everything I've ever read has been positive, but I'm still apprehensive about having a vacuum motor running a few feet away. And it's something else mechanical to have fail. One of my concerns about the OL table is that it uses a DC motor, which are noisier than AC motors.

For me, vacuum hold down, or VPI peripheral clamp are valuable aids. Not only do these hold the record tightly to the platter, but they take out all the little hills and valleys, so that your tonearm doesn't have to track like a Porsche to keep the stylus squarely on the road.

I agree with Stringreen. With the SOTA, the vacuum system works so quietly, I have to put my ear about an inch away from the vacuum box to even tell that it's 'on'. The motor controller and power supply circuitry also reside in the same black box as the vacuum pump. A single power umbilical and a clear vacuum tube must run from the black box (which I have on the floor behind my audio rack) to the turntable. The 'black box' is about the size of a shoe box and has a red LED to indicate that it is powered up. The vacuum system works reliably and unobtrusively. No worries.

Since all of these are high price points, best to take the time and expense, to visit a dealer. That way, if you buy, you will get support. It will also let you 'hear' the pump. About the vacuum system. I suggest you invest in a free standing flatten divice first as you may need that even if you go with a vacuum device.