Good Direct Drives

1200G tonearm is very good, but it's not amazing. Far from it.

If one wants an amazing tonearm, SME should be at the top of the list from current manufacturers.

There are also some great vintage tonearms from Micro Seiki, etc.

@lewm SP10R may have the best speed stability of any modern turntable, but it doesn't mean that it sounds the best. 

SP10R is just the drive, in my opinion the only way to go is to get the solid high mass metal plinth full blown SL-1000R. But it will retail for $16,000-$20,000. So it should be compared to TechDas Air Force II, SME Model 20, etc. 

I seriously doubt the Technics could sound better than those. 

Obviously everyone likes what they like. But preferring the sound of SP-10MKII over SME Model 30... I just can't relate to that.  

@lewm Fremer does his testing with an iPhone. It's for entertainment purposes. 

@andysf You can find the motor for $1200. You’ll have to make your own plinth. And fit a suitable tonearm. It’s a tremendous waste of time. When all is said and done, better turntables can be had for an overall similar price. I would take the ready high density solid metal 1200G over trying to DIY some crappy plinth for an SP10MKII. 

@alexberger SME Model 20 and 30 have the best wow, flutter, and rumble tested performance out of any turntable ever made at any price. And both are belt driven.

Some direct drive tables are great, but the very best have been belt driven historically.

The Papst motors SME use are state of the art. Definitely not toys.