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

Sota: very recent ownership experience. American, great company, suspended, speed control, platter, bearing, vacuum (regulated), integrated dust cover, looks (woodworker), upgradeability, American. Their higher end tables (Nova VII, Cosmos VII) I found to be great values relative to their performance. (Not familiar with their other models, though.)

VPI: ownership experience. American, solid build, fine performance, upgradeable, great line of tables at all price points. I enjoy talking to and listening with Harry and Matt at the shows...

Scheu:  ownership experience.  Relatively simple table, sounds great, nice looking.

I don’t have a personal favorite- I think there is such a wide range of choices in drive systems, ergonomics, modern v. vintage and the need (or not) to use multiple arms of different types that the choices can be endless. I haven’t had a huge number of tables over the years, currently run a vintage SP-10 that I bought new in 1973 that the late Bill Thalmann restored in 2017-- that’s in the vintage system.

The main system relies on the Kuzma XL/Airline on an HRS base with a big Minus K desktop:

Before I bought the XL/Airline, I had a Kuzma Reference with a Triplanar arm. I’ve had good experience with a lot of tables, including the old Rockport. I always thought that French table, the Verdier la Platine seemed like a bargain, but I gather there is a fair amount of tweakiness to it. Some of the older big Japanese tables, not just the big Micro-Seiki, are well made and ingenious. Of course, the newer Tech Das brings that technology up to date.

I’m a big fan of industrial design and turntables, as a mechanical device, explore these opportunities in multiple ways. You could imagine the Wright Bros. or Jules Verne designing one.

Still have my 1983 Denon rosewood turntable...beautiful...not used any longer. Got back into audio 5 years ago & went with VPI … purchased from local audio store = American company, american made.  It was a "B" stock unit = got a great price but I kept having issues. VPI took care of me - full money back towards new table and discount price on their newer fatboy arm. Built like a tank - it will passed down to my kids. VPI customer support and service top notch...they back their products. Looked at their website last night - they have a new model out...$5K and it comes with a 10 year warranty! Not many 10 year warranties on audio gear.  

https://www.vpiindustries.com/vpiforevermodelone

Nice tables if you can afford them. As I'm not the heir to a fortune, my favorites are a bit more plebian:

Technics (Just bought a new SL-100C which I match to a Goldring E4).

Music Hall Stealth and Classic - Have used both and found them musical and reliable.

Dual - starting with a Dual 1212 in 1970 through a Dual 1219, a CS-622 and CS-5000 over 52 years, I think they offered the best bang for the buck. Their new CS-618Q is also quite fine.

Rega - excellent sound for the money at different price points and no cartridge alignment required. Plus a very good warranty.  All other turntables rely on the skill of the person setting up the cartridge.  I own a Planar 10.