rbstehno
I've long since given up on DD, though. I think the best belt drives are better (although I haven't heard some of the newest DDs, such as VPI's) - but that's just personal preference. There is no "one-size-fits-all" in audio.
As for direct drive, not a lot of your top turntable manufacturers use DD, they use belts. How do you use DD on a 50lb plinth? You don’t.Sure you can. Back when I had a DP-80, it was mounted in a VPI two-arm base that had a very, very heavy plinth. In some respects, DDs are more suited to heavy plinths than BD.
I've long since given up on DD, though. I think the best belt drives are better (although I haven't heard some of the newest DDs, such as VPI's) - but that's just personal preference. There is no "one-size-fits-all" in audio.