Question regarding reputation of SOTA tables

My Sapphire is in great shape, but it's an older series I. I have no stores in the area that have tables on hand (they will special order a table if I commit to purchasing it). I have no way of knowing how my Sapphire ranks in performance with other tables. Been talking with Donna & Kirk at SOTA about trading in my Sapphire for a refurbished series III Nova; but before I commit, I'd like to be sure there's not a better table out there for the same money. And, if one reads Stereophile's list of recommended components, there's some great sounding (according to their reviewers)that look sexier than SOTAs.

Hard to advise you without knowing your arm and cartridge and how much money you want to spend. I am a turntable dealer but I would you to buy used or demo, get a lot more for money. As Forrest would say, "handsome is as handsome does." Actually, an aunt of mine use to say this also.

Arm is a Premier FT3 and cartridge is a Benz Glider. I plan to keep/use the Glider on the replacement table/arm. Budget for used table/arm is no more than $3000.

Sota is one of the oldest "hi end" turntable manufacturers still around. Their support is excellent (if a little slow sometimes) They dont kiss asses and wine dine at trade shows so the reviewers ignore them. Look at the table feature by feature. inverted jeweled bearing, pendulum suspension, one of the most advanced platters evermade,super accurate motor with power supply , vacuum, constrained layer arm board, best clamp ever made etc etc. Dollar for dollar no other manufacturer offers anything close for the money. Ive owned more tables than I can remember several costing many times what a cosmos cost's. Ive had my cosmos for a year and have no plans to upgrade.
A used Sota can be a great bargain (I have owned 3 ) The things to look for are the lip on the platter and bearing damage from a table not properly secured for shipping. Donna and Kirk are very helpful with used products. I would recommend finding one with the old style platter/lip for cheap and then having it upgraded to the current lip with cosmos bearing.The older star and nova are easy to remove the platter assembly from and then it can be easily (and cheaply) shipped. Most Sota vacuum table owners are converts for life.

To over simplify, there are two approaches to this hobby. Buy quality, matched components, keep them in top operating condition, forget about constant upgrades and enjoy your music for years. Or buy highly recommended components that may not necessarily be matched, continue reading reviews of the "latest and greatest", and remain on the merry-go-round of continual component upgrades looking for musical satisfaction.

Your SOTA Sapphire is a well designed table -- that does not change. The Premier FT-3 arm is a known match for your table. I won't suggest you could not find something better, but at what cost and would it be worthwhile to you? You say it is in great shape "but it's an older series I". Do you know that it is operating optimally? I recently sold an older Sapphire to a friend but only after I went through the suspension, making certain every piece was screwed down securely and that the springs still carried proper tension. If you are not up to such a do-it-yourself task, Kirk can check yours and redo anything necessary.

As others have suggested, I wouldn't worry about the lack of current reviews. But I would make certain my table and arm are functioning as intended before I considered making an "upgrade".

Good luck and enjoy your music.