Looking for ACCURATE SPEED turntable/tonearm combo

OK. Why didn't I just buy a Technics and be done with accurate speed? Well, turntables are a very visual and there is a lot of fussing to playing records. I just don't like the looks and feel of the Technics SL-1200 turntable. I am not dissing their performance. But, why buy pure function when it comes to a turntable (oh oh, here we go. flamers please keep back). I'd much prefer the looks of a VPI or a Rega P5 or P25. Galibier is a bit more than I have budgeted. Maybe if one turned up used.
Vintage DD or otherwise turntables are potentially more trouble than I care to deal with. I am having a hard time just finding a competent repair person to work on my Thorens TD-147. And even if they could work on them, getting parts is another issue if your model has been out of production for more than 10 years.
I'm just surprised that after this many years in audio (yeah, I've been around the block and then some), turntables have not made a leap in performance unless you get into mega dollar turntables. If CD players still worked and sounded like my original Magnavox where would the format be today?
I'm ready to be pleasantly surprised with an excellent affordable turntable. The Technics SL-1200 seems to meet at least the stable speed. With the quality of many used records today I won't be spending $5,000 on an analog rig. If that floats yer boat, more power to ya. I'm leaning towards the Rega P5 with their TTPSU.

How about the Denon DP-500M or a Technics SL12x0 series set into one of the KABUSA's walnut, maple, or cherry bases. Go here and scroll down to the very bottom of the page. With the wood base, the Technics looks a lot like a '70s vintage TT like Dual or Thorens.

And you'd still be within budget to add an Origin Live armboard and Origin Live Silver tonearm. That would combine the best speed stability and s/n ratio under $4K with a thoroughly modern one-piece tonearm. Retro dress-up looks and modern performance.

When the stylus hits a big transient the belt stretches and the platter slows for some brief instant. Once the transient peak has passed the belt rebounds toward its original (shorter) length, speeding the platter back up again.

I'm just wondering if anyone has ever tried to see this while playing an LP. You would have to put a speed calibration disc on top of an LP and play a song near the outside edge of the LP. If belt stretch was audible I would think that a speed strobe would reveal it. Anyone?

Well Ketchup, I'm a relative newcomer, amongst the really heavy players here.

I'm in a way not too ashamed to realize that I don't even have brass ears in comparison to Doug Deacon, Paul, or many others here, my ears are actually "tin ears", really bottom of the barrel so to speak! lol

All the different drive systems I've read of which are very intriguing. Tape drives, strig drives, floss drives, velt drives, rim drives, idler pulleys out the wazoo, SAMA's, does it ever end!!!

I'm almost thinking of upgrading to a G-String Drive, when my buddies are over, just to impress them, and make my table a real conversation piece! Naw, I'm just joshing with you folks in jest! :-)

I would "assume" Platters that have heavy weight, and high mass would lessen the effect of speed anomalies, with stretch, and transients affecting speed. I wonder, how could a short few millisecond transient affect a 25lb Platter much? Can it be "heard"? Can it even be measured?

Not to ever be insulting to my good friend Doug, and Paul, because I highly respect thier opinions, and thier help they have peronally given me, but does one really want to listen this intently, as to somehow nitpick away at every little flaw, and detract from what we all try to achieve, and that is, relaxation, and enjoyment when we listen to our vinyl?

I think Doug, Paul, and all will agree, it can never be "perfect", but we all try as hard as we can, to come aweful darn close. Mark

With the quality of many used records today I won't be spending $5,000 on an analog rig.

I have over 2000 used LPs and I have no idea what you mean here. Yes, even from Sleaze-Bay. There are the occasional trashed LPs in the used bins. However, my experience has been that for every one of those "ain't never gonna' play" you will find a dozen or two that clean up and play beautifully. And you can't always tell from surface scratches how the LP will play. Cleaning techniques. That is the key.

This brings up another issue that Doug mentioned and that Tube540 may not be aware of. Many of these lower priced, post-entry level tables will also magnify the sound of less-than-pristine grooves. As Doug said, you have a choice of compromises with budget tables. You may find that you are sensitive to more than just speed stability. IMO, all of the budget tables are either overly bright: to make you think you're hearing everything in the grooves, or they are too dark: to make sure you do not hear all of the resonance issues.

I suggest to you to get out and try to listen to as many tables as you can, if you haven't done this already. Especially that Rega you mentioned. With or without the TTPSU.

If it were me and if I was sure I would not increase my budget in the future, I would seriously consider spending money on a re-plinth Lenco project before dropping any money on any table in your budget range. You can either do the work yourself or ask around for someone to build one for you. I have a Lenco in storage but you can't have it. ;-)