Direct Drive

I enjoyed the Rega P5, which I owned for about 5 years, on discs when the speed instability issues weren’t so prominent. Although the Moonlight Sonata sounded terrible, as noted, some other works such as the Second Bartok Piano Concerto really snapped into focus for me. There was real energy in the music that even the excellent digital transfer just didn’t quite capture and it increased my appreciation of the piece. However I listen to a lot of Piano Music, such as Chopin, Debussy, Satite, Beethoven, Mozart, and as someone noted upthread Piano Music is a severe test for turntables. Ultimately I didn’t want a tt that excelled on some records, was terrible on others and somewhere in between on most. The Clearaudio didn’t suffer speed instability but it also never made me say "Wow, I have to hear that piece again right now!" either, which the Rega did frequently

The only direct drive I would have any interest in would be the STST Motus II. It is the only DD turntable I know of that is properly suspended. Otherwise stick to belt drive. It is a much safer bet. 

The Thorens TD 1600 is an amazing turntable for the price. It has a great tonearm to boot. For $4000 you get a turntable that you can not surpass until you spend over twice as much.

at least do a search before asking such a broad question, many forum threads are devoted to the recent Technics 1200 series.  

in short they are audiophile no brainers.  

Mijostyn, Have you fallen out of love with the Dohmann Helix? Also, you can add a Herzan or Minus K shelf to any non-suspended turntable and be better off than with any spring-suspended turntable, BD or not, because all spring-suspended BD turntables have to face the dilemma of what to do with the motor. If the motor is not also suspended, then you have the susceptibility to belt stretch when the suspension flexes. Belt stretching causes speed irregularity. If the motor IS suspended along with the bearing and platter, then you are not isolating the bearing/platter from motor vibration, except via the energy absorption afforded by the belt itself. For the belt to dissipate vibration from the motor it must be at least somewhat compliant. To the degree that the belt is compliant, then you have the possibility for "belt creep". And the beat goes on.

@lewm - I thought that @mijostyn was a SOTA guy. I agree with you on wall shelves for tables - especially lightweight ones like Rega for guys like me with suspended wood floors. I have mine sitting on top of a Townshend platform that sits on the shelf for maximum isolation. As per Roy Gandy, a turntable is simply a vibration measuring machine.

I think the DD vs. Belt debate is moot though, like most other general ones (digital vs. vinyl, SS vs. tubes, open vs. closed baffle, planar vs. boxes, etc.) as it depends on the execution and implementation of the specific product.