Direct drive vs belt vs rim vs idler arm

As with most of the group answering, I own all of the types mentioned, and at many different price points ranging from $8K to $29. My most played TT? Denon 47F, 103 cartridge. As Ron of rotisserie fame tells us, 'set it and forget it.'

ZD542

Which DD are good ?
NVS, Technics SP 10MK II & MK III, The Beat, Brinkmann, Rockport, flagship models from Sony, Denon, JVC, Kenwood, Yamaha and Pioneer's top decks to name a few.
Take care,

I agree with Viridian, execution of whatever design philosophy is the key, not the philosophy per se. Then comes the ears and brain of the listener and all the other things in life that bias us to prefer one thing vs another. (I find that I prefer brunettes, for example.)

Of all the DD turntables I have owned, I would say that three stand out as "best" in my mind: The Luxman PD-441, PD-444 and the Teac TN-400. The two Luxman decks share the same drive system, but the latter with a larger plinth to accommodate two tonearms. The TN-400 is probably the most quiet drive system I have ever seen (heard?), but they didn't make many and so are fairly rare.

Rugyboogie,

Thank you. You actually read my post and answered my question.

When you list the big, well known names, (Sony, Denon, Pioneer etc) are you talking about vintage gear or current production? Also, would you say that a Technics 1200 would be in the same league as the ones you mention? The reason I mention the 1200 is that I can try one. My family has 2 nightclubs and that's what they use. There's 2, brand new, unopened ones in a storage room they keep for emergencies. Honestly, its not the kind of TT that I would have considered for myself, but since so many people seem to like them, I have nothing to lose from trying one.