Sota Star Sapphire Turntable with Grado and Sumiko Arm

Up for sale is a wonderful Sota Sapphire Series III turntable in wonderful condition.  

Its listed as a Star Sapphire but its not a Star.  Actual model is a Sota Sapphire Series III.  Thanks to the savvy audiogonner for pointing it out. 

The Sapphire has been in existence for decades and has a loyal following.  They have been sold with all sorts of tonearms, options and finishes.  This happens to be my favorite as its finish in light solid oak with a black top, just the right amount of vintage and modern.   Specifically this is a Sapphire Series III. 

This table is fitted with an awesome Sumiko Premier arm and headshell in beautiful condition with no scratches or dents.  The arm operates fluidly and the lifter is precise and reliable.  

There is a super convenient control panels (one of the reasons I love this table) located on the top with easy access to power, 33 and 45 speed selector plus fine adjustments for speed.  This table weighs a whopping 45lbs and the platter alone is 14lbs.  

On the back you’ll find a very high quality Sumiko interface box with gold plated RCA and ground connectors

The table comes with the very high quality Sota record clamp ($270 option) wich has a latch to lock in place ensuring the record is held inlace as flat as possible. 

Includes a Grado Black 2 cartridge installed and calibrated.  If you prefer another model we can fit it a the following options which will include calibration (about a 2hr detailed process of perfectly setting an calibrating many parameters to ensure highest performance). 

   1. New ClearAudio Concept $250

1. New Sumiko BluePoint #2 $449


2. New Sumiko BluePoint special Evo 3 $549


3. New ClearAudio Virtuoso V2 Ebony $899 


4. New Sumiko Blackbird MC $1249

To purchase any of these just send an offer for the asking price of the table PLUS the cartridge cost above.  It will take about a week to process and install. 

Included is the table, arm, power supply, cartridge and record clamp.  No dust cover or strobe matt.  

Item will be carefully double boxes for safe transit.  

Testimonials

“After almost thirty years, the Sapphire, SOTA’s first product, is not only current but has been improved in all areas while retaining the designer David Fletcher’s revolutionary inverted sapphire bearing and four point handing suspension that still ensures isolation from environmental disturbances second to none and equaled by almost none …the Sapphire remains for me the least expensive go-to turntable for the absolute sound.”

– Paul Seydor, TAS Golden Ear Winner 

“It is clearly better-sounding than any of the British ‘tables I have heard. The Sota Star Sapphire is a reference-quality turntable; I consider it state-of-the-art, In view of the cost of other premium turntables, the Star’s price certainly seems reasonable and must be considered as offering excellent value for the money.”

 – Steven W. Watkinson, Stereophile (read the review)

“…the SOTA Sapphire Turntable is a mature design that traces its DNA straight from the Golden Age of audiophile analog. Unfussy in set up and unperturbed by the listening environment, it promises to make marvelous music for decades to come.”

– Bruce Kinch, Listener

Specifications

• Rumble: less than -60db unweighted (10cm/sec @ 1000Hz)


• Wow & Flutter: less than .04% RMS


• Suspension: tuned 4-point stretched-spring sub-chassis, 2.55 Hz frequency


• Platter: individually balanced 14 lb one-piece cast platter with internal damping, lead flywheel ring, acrylic Supermat


• Vacuum System: electronic-sensing. provides LP clamping vacuum pressure of 3.0 Hg. +/- 0.2 Hg


• Shaft: hardened steel, hand matched to sintered bronze sleeves


• Motor: high-efficiency A/C motor with double-regulated, synthesized sine-wave drive and balanced pulley; electronic flywheel with ultra-regulated, high-speed power supply for motor system


• Bearing: thrust pad; polished sapphire disc; thrust point: hardened chrome steel ball


• Transmission: belt driven


• Speeds: 33-1/3 and 45 RPM electronically switchable with fine tuning


• Weight: 44 lb (20 kg) turntable only


• Dimensions: 7-1/2″ H (to top of dust cover), 20-1/4″ W, 16-1/2″ D

The Sota SAPPHIRE™ and JEWEL™ turntables shared design objectives include:

• Floating Seismic Platform Suspension with 22 lb. Balanced Sub-Chassis Hung from Four Point Spring Suspension System


• Internally Damped Multi-layer 14 lb. Platter


• Inverted Bearing Design with Sapphire Thrust Plate and Chrome Steel Bearing


• I-Clamp Clamping Device


• “Bolt-Through” Multi-Layer Armboard Block Mounting


• Electronic Flywheel Ultra-Regulated, High-Speed Power Supply for Motor System


• High-Efficiency A/C Motor with Double-Regulated, Synthesized Sine-Wave Drive and Balanced Pulley


• Electronic Speed Control and Speed Change


• Interchangeable Tonearms with SOTA Wood Armboard

WHO WE ARE -

Skyfi.nyc is a small startup business specializing in the purchase, reconditioning and reselling of select high end audio equipment.  We only buy equipment the we admire and are passionate about.  No mid-fi, no gimmicks and no junk.  

Each piece of equipment is cosmetically restored and fully tested in our well-equipped lab by an engineer with 30+ years of experience in the Hifi world.  If it does not meet or exceed the original manufactures specifications, it will not be sold.  We are select about the equipment we purchase, focusing on mostly analog, high-build quality, American and European built units.

Through our sister company, which is an authorized dealer for McIntosh, Audio Research, Sonus Faber, ClearAudio, Project and Sony ES, we have access to OEM parts and service support.  If you are local and are looking for any new equipment for the above mentioned manufacturers, please drop us a line as we can arrange both sales and professional installation in the tri-state area

PURCHASING GUIDELINES

If you would like to make an offer, please don't email or message us unless you are looking to trade something in.  

If we are accepting offers, you will see a button on the listing page to do so.  Please use it, as it is very hard to track offers through email or messaging.  This way, we are all also better protected.   If you don’t see a “offer” button its because we are not taking offers on this item.  Please don’t bother to make one.  

PAYMENTS

We prefer working through PayPal, which allows you to use a credit card or bank transfer.  We do not charge extra for any payment fees.  You can also send us a personal check (which will need to clear before shipping), certified check, money order or wire transfer.  International clients without access to PayPal should use a bank wire transfer. 

If you are picking up an item, we don not accept PayPal, you must pay in person with cash, certified or bank check or wire transfer.  If you make a PayPal payment it will be returned.  You will also need to pay NJ Sales tax

TRADE IN POLICY 

We accept trade-ins of equal or lesser value under certain conditions.  Simply ask and let us know the exact model, condition and what accessories are included such as a box, remote, manual, etc.  We will only consider high-end equipment from mainstream manufacturers such as McIntosh, Mark Levinson, Audio Research, Krell, etc. and will typically pass on displays, projectors, receivers, dated processors and mid-fi equipment of any type.  We will offer a fair value for your equipment, but keep in mind we are running a business and will need to be able to sell the equipment at a profit after investing a great deal of time and resources in testing, certifying, repairing, cleaning and packaging the incoming equipment.  If you are looking for top dollar we suggest attempting to sell it directly to an end user.  

SELL US YOUR GEAR (Working or Broken)

We will also purchase your used or broken gear and arrange pickup if you are in our local market.  Just drop us a note for a quote, but be sure to include the condition and what is included.  

HOW TO VISIT US

We are currently operating from a residence in Ridgewood, NJ.  You are welcome to make an appointment if there is a piece of equipment you would like to see in operation before or after purchase.  We have a well-equipped, dedicated listening room with tons of equipment of all makes and models.  We are not a store, so please don’t make an appointment if you are just curious as to how a speaker or piece of equipment sounds.  In essence, no tire kickers please.  

If you are in NYC and cannot make it out to Ridgewood, we can arrange pickup in Union Square (14th Street) after the purchase.   You can call or text  (646) 852-2073 with any questions or to schedule an appointment.  We can also arrange to install, calibrate and tune the gear in your listening room if you are in the local area.  This is super useful when purchasing large speakers or heavy amplifiers.  It is also great for ensuring your new turntable is setup correctly in its final resting place.  

Thanks for looking and please send us your email address if you would like to receive a list of the equipment we receive from time to time.  We promise not to bombard you with junk email.