Ready to pull the trigger on a DD turntable: Technics SL-1210GR or Pioneer PLX1000???

I had the Technics SL-1210GR in the shopping cart, and had my credit card out.  Then I thought I'd take a look at Agon forums and see what people were saying.  I saw a lot of good reviews on the Technics, but people really liked the Pioneer too, and it's less than half the price!

Either way I went, I was going to match them up with an Ortofon 2M Bronze or Black.  Whatever cart I select, it will be plugged into a fully restored Marantz 7c, or an Audio Research SP-9.

Now, I appreciate belt drive turntables.  In another life, I was a factory rep for Thorens and B&O.  I made my living in the late '70s by bashing Japanese direct drive turntables. I myself have a beautiful Thorens TD-160.   It's over 40 years old, and now my preferences have changed.  I like torque, running a dust brush without the table slowing down.  I like the instant startup.  I think "s" shaped tonearms, speed strobes, and cuing lights are sexy.  And "good" direct drive tables sound good to me.

So what do you think?  I can easily afford to buy either turntable.  I gotta say if you go to the Technics website, they have a very impressive pitch on the 1200 series being hand built by Japanese craftsmen.  Pretty cool story.  But that may not add up to it sounding any better than the Pioneer.  I'm still a bit of a value shopper.  

On the low end, I could do a Pioneer 1000 /Ortofon Bronze combo for $1140, or the full meal deal Technics with Bronze or Black for $2,040-$2300.   Will there be a big pop in performance??  

Thanks!