[drphoto]

Sota's entry level unit. Reviews say it is super quiet and easy to set up. I'd dearly love a Linn LP12, but they're really pricey and I'm afraid much too tweaky for a newb.

The entry level Linn Axis can be had for reasonable money used, some good reviews, but a head to head comparison I saw w/ the Comet favored the Sota.

No used Comets out there yet. I may just bide my time and wait for one to come up.

[Wayner]

The Sota deck itself seems nice, but I haven't heard one so this isn't an endorsement. One thing I find very odd is the funky feet. They look like the same leveling feet under my wash machine. That can easily be replaced (I ass/u/me), and Sota is in my favorable brands list.

I'm betting you won't find many used as I suspect their owners like them and won't part with them. Kind of reminds me of the AR-XA decks.

Wayner 

[drphoto]

Yeah, I had the same reaction to the feet. Apparently a key to this decks performance is the extensive use of polymers (yep....good old plastic) for the plinth and platter, which help make it very quiet.

Supposedly Projects carbon fiber arm is really nice for the same reason. However, the table itself on the entry level decks just screams cheap.

I'm leaning toward the Comet for now, but I think I'd have to get some chrome plated brass points to replace those funky feet. Nice classy looking table otherwise. Plus it's actually made in the US. I'm no flag wavin' jingoist, but nice to support small businesses here at home.

I was really hoping I could do this vinyl adventure on the cheap w/ the Thorens I was given. But it just doesn't float my boat. I've gotten a little taste of what vinyl can do, which is why I still want to pursue it, but honestly my digital rig pretty much kills it in most ways. (Heresy I know on this circle!)

I am not bothered by the slight amount or surface noise or the hassle factor. My current analog setup just sounds a bit edgy with a small soundstage. I know vinyl guys hate 'digititis' but believe me, vinyl can sound harsh too. Sorry ladies just because it's 12" doesn't mean it's an automatic ticket to heaven! 

[jsaliga]

I always thought the VPI HW-19 was a nice table that you can get used for less than $1,000 or sometimes a little more with a decent tonearm.  I have no first hand experience with the SOTA Comet, but I do own a SOTA Star Sapphire Series III vacuum turntable and the build quality/performance is first rate.

I don't know what your budget is but the non-vacuum SOTA Sapphires show up used on Agon from time to time for $1,200 to $1,500.  A new Comet direct from SOTA is $1,150, but it does have the advantage of coming with a tonearm.  I haven't seen too many used Comets for sale, but Sapphires come up for sale fairly often, mostly from people looking to upgrade to a vacuum model such as the Star or Nova.

--Jerome

[thegage]

I had the previous generation Comet, bought new back in the days before Audiogon, when the only used source was rec.audio.marketplace. It was a nice 'table, but definitely entry level at something around $800. These days I'd bide my time at A'gon looking for a nice used VPI HW-19. You can get a good buy for the price of a new Comet.

John K.

[simoon]

There are many better choices than a Comet. I used to sell them at a high end store in LA, trust me.

[drphoto]

OK, thanks for the heads up.

[WGH]

There are many better choices than a Comet.

Such as...

SOTA doesn't have a circle here, you can slam them. I have always liked the idea of owning a SOTA table but have never seen or heard one. What do you like?

Wayne

[simoon]

Such as...

SOTA doesn't have a circle here, you can slam them. I have always liked the idea of owning a SOTA table but have never seen or heard one. What do you like?

Wayne

I'm not here to slam SOTA. I actually like SOTA's higher end TT's quite a bit.

But at the $1200 price range, I think there are better. The Music Hall MMF 7.1 for example.

[WGH]

But at the $1200 price range, I think there are better. The Music Hall MMF 7.1 for example.

Thanks.

Wayne

[Minn Mark]

I have a many years old Comet currently used with a Sumiko Blackbird into AVA electronics and Magnaplanars.  I have been a happy owener for a long time.  The feet on my Comet do the job nicely, and on an A/V rack on my concrete floor the 'table is very quiet and isolated. I also own a Pro-ject Debut III---IMHO there is NO comparison in the build quality all 'way-round. I use the Pro-ject at 78 rpm and it does the job, but as a brand new 'table it is much more cheaply built then my old Comet. As I understand, new Comets come with Rega RB250 or 300 arms, and that combo sounds killer to me, even compared to VPI , Clearaudio and others.  I've seen Michael Fremer's DVD, and frankly I would not want to hassle with a VPI 'table-and-arm. I'd rather spend the time spinning the vinyl!

Cheers,

Mark

[Audio-den]

YOU CAN CALL DONNA AT SOTA  WITH ANY ? 800-772 -SOTA  I HAVE HAD SOTA TT FOR FOR OVER 20 AND THEY JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER  ENJOY AL