What are your top 3 favorite turntable companies (manufacturer) and why?

inna

...it is analogue not analog. It is British, accept it.

Two countries divided by a common language. (George Bernard Shaw, supposedly)

I have been very happy (and for a long time) with a Sota Cosmos in one system and a VPI TNT V in another. I use a much less expensive Roksan Radius in another system where analogue isn't played as much.

The one that I sold and would love to have back was an Oracle Delphi , if only because they are works of art to look at.

Analogue, and ‘’two countries separated by a common language.’’

Yes, a George Bernard Shaw quote but no record of what year he said it. I deduce it was after or during WW2.

Analog is a bastardised spelling of analogue.
Bastardise (Bastardized in US) was of French origin that was adopted into the English language.

Is it highly probable that a large percentage of French, British and Irish citizens who emigrated to the Americas had poor spelling skills.

1) Micro-Seiki/TechDAS - Air bearings and vacuum platers

2) Rega - simplicity and excellent sound, their high end models sound great with Lyra carts, no VTA adjustments needed.

3) Kuzma, Kuzma, Kuzma.  Reliable, precision made beasts.

Having used a VPI HW 19 Mk III for 20 years, I can say that it served me well. I bought it used with the platter and bearing upgrades, along with SME IV tonearm and a Sumiko Virtuoso Diamond Titanium vdh HOMC. I did not use the cartridge that came with it, rather used a LOMC that I had FR 1 Mk III F. Both are still operational but probably due for a retip. Steve Leung has the bearing from the VPI right now as it failed after I used it for 20 years. Steve (VAS) does all the service work on bearings for VPI..........according to his son Ray. 

When my VPI went down, I fiddled around with some old rigs, including an AR (THE AR), which is not a bad inexpensive rig. Pretty much a Linn copy, within reason. I recently bought a Linn LP 12 with Lingo PS (first version), Ekos tonearm and Cirkus bearing. Old upgrades. It came with a Linn Karma LOMC and this combination is probably the best I've owned as yet. I first heard an LP 12 over 50 years ago, finally own one and I am very pleased with it. Maybe down the road, I can complain as other Linn owners about how fidgity and fussy it is but for now, I am very happy with it. 

I have no real experience with other high end rigs but reading reviews and paying attention to what people say, I'd lean toward SME if I ever felt like buying another turntable. Not likely to feel the need but you never know.