Turntables currently considered top of the range. Do you know what they are ?

Basis tables & arms made in NH our excellent at all their levels. Couldn’t say for sure but I’ll bet their models 2200 or 2800 w/ a Vector 4 arm gets you most of what the really top turntables do for a “high” but not “insane” price. Of course you can go higher in their line if so desired. The engineering & build quality are very high. My 20 year old 2500 still works perfectly & sounds excellent. 

@whart +1

The question to me is how you evaluate this in the real world, given the limitations that most brick and mortar dealers have, aside from their choice of top tier brand(s), which may limit you.

Late last year I asked Upscale Audio in LA [I think one of the bigger places out there] to set up a demo to show that there are differences in sound just from plinth-arm, so two set-ups with same cart on same electronics. Their choice of tables, carts, anything, just to see whether plinths-arm actually makes an audible difference. They flat out refused. And I have been a repeat customer with them.

So I blind-bought a Rega NAIA package. All the grandstanding "never buy anything without auditioning it first" does not work in the real world. Is there anything better, something I will like better? Maybe, but I will never find out.

$150k turntable does not keep accurate speed ? I find it hard to believe. Why doesn't it, what's wrong ?

Dunno - spoke to a guy in Canada who owned one years ago. Couldn't get it to run on speed and neither could the dealer or Clearaudio.

From my experience, nothing has the sound quality of the Kronos turntables from Montreal, Canada.  As you've probably seen they use a second counter-rotating platter.  This cancels the sideways torque placed upon the suspension.  This means they can use a suspension, which has real sonic advantages.  You can truly hear the difference.  Every time I hear an analog system with a Kronos in it there's something special about the sound.

@dover 

When I found that the Clearaudio Statement ( at US150,000 ) could not keep accurate speed I decided their TT's are not fit for purpose.

I suspect that's a one-off issue that should/could have been fixed. I've had two different Clearaudio turntables for the last 14 years and they maintain spot on accurate speed all the time.