RMAF 2012

SOTA's $800 Moonbeam

By Stephen Mejias • Posted: Oct 17, 2012

John Atkinson told me I should go see SOTA’s Donna Bodinet, so I did, and this is what I found: SOTA’s Series II Moonbeam turntable ($800 with S100 tonearm and Ortofon OM5E phono cartridge). The Moonbean features a platter and subplatter of high-density polymer, has a self-lubricating Turcite bearing cup, and a 24-pole synchronous motor. It weighs a solid 18 lbs.

Custom wood finishes add $100, but I think the Moonbeam is beautiful exactly as it is. (Gah: I sound like a pop song. Swoon.)

I suspect the Moonbeam can handle a higher-quality cartridge than the stock OM5E. To that end, Bodinet explained that SOTA will mount and align the cartridge of your choice, so long as you purchase it through SOTA. The Moonbeam, like all SOTA turntables, is made in the USA and comes with a lifetime trade-in guarantee, so your investment is secure and you can upgrade as you see fit.

Hmm…

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Comments
JohnnyR's picture
About Those Guarantees
Submitted by JohnnyR on October 17, 2012 - 1:55pm.

Only as good as long as the company is in business. Yeah SOTA has been around a long time but so were a lot of other well known brands........till they weren't.

Regadude's picture
Well Johnny, a meteor could
Submitted by Regadude on October 17, 2012 - 3:54pm.

Well Johnny, a meteor could also wipe all life off of the planet... 

DetroitVinylRob's picture
><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯ `· .¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>‏
Submitted by DetroitVinylRob on October 17, 2012 - 6:06pm.

Ha, ha, ha!

I'd take my chances with the meteor, already dodged one when I was a kid. It flew by and came down so close to my brother and I, I could smell it. Never forget that smell, like molten iron slag as it lite up the night sky with fire. Another nice Sota!

Happy Listening! ;^)>

arnoldpm's picture
Very good value and yes they
Submitted by arnoldpm on October 18, 2012 - 9:52pm.

Very good value and yes they have been around for a while and Donna of SOTA has very good customer service. Tweak Studio can also back up their customer service at www.myavstudio.com

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