Should I keep the Turntable or sell it?

@tzh21y actually, I made a statement... and that statement was in regards to experts and professionals in the industry... the engineers that design and make the equipment we buy, or even an article or video from a renowned source. I can find hundreds of fanboy posts on forums about Technics, Clearaudio, Rega, SOTA, etc being totally superior because of belt drive or direct drive motors, and here on Audiogon, I have found just that. And when I ask for opinions, the the response (from some) is because XYZ technology is “crap”, I tend to be highly skeptical. Hence the statement... "I haven’t read anything about Technics yet to make me think their technology is superior to any other midrange table".

I was implying reading industry reviews (not marketing) by renowned critics or studies/technical pieces by engineers that state direct drive is a superior technology. If that implication wasn’t clear enough, that’s my fault, but I don’t recall the context of that statement at the moment. 

From the opinions on boards like this, direct drive is more consistent (but noisy) compared to belt drive (but possibly inconsistent). To be honest, I can’t say I have trained my ears enough to be able to notice either of those two issues, but I can definitely recognize tube vs solid state and better quality carts. So that is what I have chosen to focus on. 

In regards to statements by many on here like “Just trust your ears.”, I think that is a ridiculous comment to make when a person is asking any question online. Clearly, if that individual had the means to order and compare the equipment in their home or could listen to all of the choices in question locally at a dealer, then they wouldn’t be asking a bunch of random folks on the internet for advice. We ask these questions to narrow down choices to a select few that we can then try to listen to in person. 

Anyway, I’ve narrowed down my choices, and a Technics is not something I’m interested in.

Anyway, I’ve narrowed down my choices, and a Technics is not something I’m interested in.

Wow ..no BD no DD maybe pulley? Garrard?  he he heeee

 The one thing that I would add is that people keep saying that Belt Drive is inferior. There are vastly different implementations of belt drive. I have tried the standard rubber belts, dental floss, and now tape drive. I have found tape drive to offer the best musical attributes of both direct drive and belt drive. It’s very quiet  but you have no stretchy belt speed inconsistencies. 
 I do own belt drive, direct drive and did on a Lenco idler drive. I find it interesting that people speak of the Lenco as if it’s superior due to its drive. I found if you looked at mine cross eyed or breathed on it the wrong way the speed would slow.  I think the secret to the Lenco sound is the fact that you have a rubber idler wheel damping the platter all the time.  It was the worst of three technologies speed wise, at least the example that I owned. 
 And I know you don’t want to hear this but if I were less of a tweaker and wanted an off-the-shelf solution I would take a hard look at technics. 

@best-groove 👍

@analogluvr I have listened to the following tables on at least 2 occasions:

Direct Drive:
1. Higher end Technics - friend’s dad’s table
2. Cambridge Audio Alva TT - my own Turntable

Belt Drive
1. Pro-Ject Carbon Debut (Ortofon Blue 2M) - my table
2. Marantz TT-15S1 - local shop
3. Clearaudio Concept MM - local shop
4. Rega P3 w/ Elys - local shop
5 Rega P6 - friend’s table

If I were to rank them in preference for the sound I appreciate, it would probably be this:

1. Marantz TT-15S1
2. Clearaudio Concept
3. Rega P6 (wine may have helped)
4. Pro-Ject (Ortofon Blue 2M)
5. Alva TT
6. Technics tying Rega P3

I have a feeling, I have a preference for higher end cartridges. The Clearaudio Virtuoso sounded slightly warm, but very clear.

If you are into white papers and stuff like that, try looking at the Basis Turntables.  They are great tables and you can find them used in the same ball park as the tables you listed.