[thunderbrick]

It will take SOTA time to return calls.  Email might be better, but once you catch up with them their service is fabulous.  They are very kind people.

I'd say $750-ish maybe?  Great table, but tough to find the right buyer.

[JakeJ]

WARNING, screwing the feet in all the way does not lock the platter and bearing for transport!
 
There are two set screws (allen head) on either side of the main bearing bolt on the underside of the sub-chassis.  These need to be screwed all the way in (up) to lift the platter up, lock it in place from spinning, and clear the inverted sapphire bearing from the bottom of the cup.  If not done it will damage the bearing and require replacing.
 
FWIW, the Audiogon Bluebook lists the 'table value at ~$760 and the arm roughly at ~$200.  The arm value is my stab at valuing it based on the original 3009 and the 3009 series III.  No actual listing for the series II.
 
Hope this helps.

[neobop]

Hi Putz,
There's another thread going now called TT Advice. Looking for one around $1K. IMO you should explore your alternatives. Here's my post there:
Interesting choices. I understand the price of a 1200 has gone up since it was discontinued. NOS ones are going for $1K. I just took a look on Agon and there are a couple of interesting tables. There's a mint 1200 MK5 for $850. I've seen SP15 for around the same $. They often have old radio station arms which may or may not be appealing, but the deck itself is an upgrade from the 1200, depending on the plinth.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1300847035&/Technics-SP-15

There was another ad that might look even better - a tricked out HW19.  http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1301618373&/VPI-HW-19-Mark-3

How about a Roksan? Looks sweet.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1301940439&/Roksan-Radius-5

I think you'd be in pretty good shape with just about anything with your wall bracket. It looks like it's a little close to the speaker, it's hard to tell exactly with the perspective of the pic. Except for that, it looks very similar to one of my listening rooms with brackets. No problems what so ever with any type of table.

If you have your heart set on a Sota, I'd recommend considering another one. There's always at least a couple on Agon. Have you heard this table? If so, can you tell how good it is on another system? Sometimes it's tough. Sometimes familiarity breeds discontent, rather than satisfaction. I really can't speak to your needs or satisfaction level, everybody's different to some extent. Dusty likes the deck, I don't. Maybe it depends on where you're coming from and your expectations. But I think the arm/table combo is suspicious as far as synergy goes. For $800 - 1K range I've seen ones with more desirable arms IMO. That's expensive to change. Knife edge arm bearings will run you a bit of cash and the cart isn't worth much if you tried to sell it separately. At least I don't think so, BaMorin would know that better. I'll post some more pics when I get a chance.
neo

BTW, Maybe it depends on vintage but mine doesn't have allen screws on either side of the main bearing bolt. There are 2 smaller bolts with nuts. Maybe you can see them in my pic on page 1, if you magnify.

[JakeJ]

Hey neo,
 
I believe you are referring to the picture of the upsidedown platter with the bearing assembly attached.  I tried to zoom way in but the image suffered digititis and got a bit too pixelated.
 
I can make out the main bolt in the center of the bearing assembly and to my poor old eyes I see two charcoal colored set screws (or they could be hex head screws) with a lock nut.  Am I seeing that right?
 
Both the Series I and Series V I have owned had/has this arrangement and it is clearly stated in the owner's manual.
 
But the company has changed hands several times so there may be differences.  YMMV

[neobop]

Putz,
Here's an example of what I'm talking about with used Sapphires.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1301598796&/Sota-Sapphire

That's an excellent arm, IMO a whole other class from the SME. There's a guy in England, Audio Origami who refurbishes these arms and sells them for thousands. The PU3 was around $1K back in the '80s. This deck has a semi-functional dust cover and with the shipping situation might not be feasible. But that's what I mean.
http://www.audioorigami.co.uk/PU7/PU7.htm

Jake,
See what you mean with the pic. I reduce them to thumbnail for posting. It's just a main bolt with 2 smaller bolts on either side, no screws. The nuts for the smaller ones are screwed down most of the way so I won't lose them. They tighten up under the subchassis. The main bolt has a nut with thumb tightening I believe. I have all the hardware to the side. On mine (series 2?) when the feet are all the way up platter/bearing is locked up. The cardboard is to keep the platter from rubbing against the plinth. There are springs in there you know. 
neo

[DustyC]

Putz,
Neobop laid out some great examples there. As I'm writing this I would be VERY surprised if that NOS Technics is still for sale. 1400 views and counting,..

I sold my 1st Sota for $350 with no arm and it was newer than the one in your photo. Mine had a black colored platter. My dealer told me that the the very first ones had that lighter colored one. But I have seen ones for sale that had a light color and had a newer serial number than mine so maybe production (or customer) choices may play in here.

Even with wall mounting a solid plinth table might still suffer from acoustic feedback due to standing waves. Your sub is right under the table. Have you ever stood in the area around the sub to see if the bass is excessive there? It might not be audible from the listening chair.

Another "classic" combo that I almost bought (seller wanted $1000) was a VPI like the one that neobop linked to that had an ET 2 air bearing arm with the spring type chassis instead of rubber pucks.

If the seller would come down about $200-300, the Sota/SME would be ok.

The other guys are right,  make sure the locking screws are turned up to lift the platter off the bearing. That sapphire bearing never needs lube but it can shatter if handled carelessly. 

[putz]

The reason I'm looking at the SOTA is because it does not have to be shipped. I'm very nervous about shipping a table because of potential for damage (poor packing/shipping abuse). Also no way to hear it before buying. So I'm limiting myself to local (NJ). I've thought about a Technics table. I've actually been to Kevin's (KAB) house a couple of times to buy accessories and listen to his setup. I guess I should give him a call but I'm not convinced I want a 1200. He never pushed me to buy a table from him. Maybe he should have.

As far as my expectations, I've been listening to vinyl for over 40 years and never owned a high end table. My first table was a Garrard, then Dual, Pioneer, Thorens and currently Pro-ject. I still have the Pioneer(PL-560) and thought about restoring it, but the feet are rotted and no replacements available.


I'm not in love with the SOTA. Just thought it might be a good next step and wanted input on whether or not to pull the trigger. I really appreciate all the advice from everyone.

[pansixt]

Putz,
I checked out a Pro-Ject RPM TT Saturday at a shop near me.
I think it was the RPM 5.1. They quoted me $1000, new with cart.
Sounded pretty good.
At least with a big McIntosh stack and their Canton Vento speakers.
James

[neobop]

Thought you might want to see a couple of more pics.








You can see the armboard support next to the platter. This deck is heavy and all the weight is on the top wood that surrounds the platter etc.

Below is with the Alphason mounted and cover off the speed/pitch controls.

[bonkfrog]

Putz
I have had a Sapphire of your vintage for some years and have found it to be very reliable. It also is fitted with an SME 3009, with Orsonic head, external power supply. I'm not sure, however, that I don't prefer my Lenco rim drive - it's a tight, clean sound, with very good bass definition.
Overall, though, I'd recommend the Sota. Local parts (belts, etc.) are available and reasonably priced (I hate to think what motors, bearings, etc. are worth though!)
Cheers

Bonkfrog