Buy what you like. At a certain point, the level of performance will only be revealed in direct comparisons. The Technics is still a player- I have an SP-10 that I bought new in 1973 or thereabouts, and it is performing yeoman's duty in a vintage system after a light upgrade from Bill Thalmann. That will soon be 50 years- no it is not my main table, but it is in use in a very high grade vintage system.
There are lots of interesting turntables out there, including some that have been around a long time. The unfortunate thing is that you can't meaningfully compare much at a dealers and listening to one offs in people's homes won't tell you much, because the rest of the system is an unknown.
I don't churn equipment, but buy to keep and realize an advantage in not spending the same money more than once. Thus, I can concentrate on cartridges and records--the latter of most interest.
There are some seriously good record players out there and I am not sure I'd buy new. Arm- that would involve more moving parts. Cartridge- I'm suspicious of "used" cartridges, though I have had some rebuilds that were great for the money. I don't take shortcuts here either, though.
I'd be interested to know of recent Platine Verdier ownership experience. It seems a bargain, given the design and price, and has been around forever. Arm is a different matter, as is cartridge.