[G E]

Has anyone heard these side by side or direct experience with both?

Tonearm selection for the SOTA will obvious be a factor...

[figcon]

I replaced a SOTA Cosmos with an Amadeus GTA found the WTL to sound a lot faster and open with better pace and timing. That being said, it has no suspension, which the SOTA does...and an excellent one at that.....so this may matter to you. I know one another fellow who did the same thing with the same feelings as I have described. Good luck.

[G E]

Suspension is a non issue. Concrete floor and equipment stack is located in a walk in closet.

Is there a significant step up with the MK2 Amadeus or is it just different?

[Charisma12]

In my humble opinion, heavy tables store energy. That’s why they tend to sound thick, dark and dull.

[threadkiller]

Have to disagree there- I can easily think of more tables than my fingers that are big yet do not exhibit that sound quality you attribute. 
Does the WTL play music in a more convincing way than a Sota? Yes. In the old days we called em Blota.

[SteveFord]

The one table that I let get away and I'm still kicking myself was a SOTA with an early Well Tempered arm.
It was a thing of beauty but no pennies at the time and when I could swing it somebody else had grabbed it.
I ended up with a square motor for $1100 which is probably just as well but it doesn't have the looks of the SOTA.

[threadkiller]

Agreed , they always did look nice... And I hear the couple that are doing Sota now are very nice.