Turntable for life

Thanks so much again to everyone. I read and greatly appreciate all responses!

Rushton,
The Walker is quite a bit out of the league I play in with the old Dual and Garrard. I remember seeing these at CES years ago. Amazing fit and finish. At the time they were really one of the few who were competing against micro-seki.  One would be hard pressed to find a nicer table. It truly is a turntable for life. One thing that I remember is that there used to be quite a few companies that were modding micros, but I don't believe anyone offers "upgrades", (different bearings, platters, motors, belts, etc) for the Walker. To me, that meant that they got it right the first time!  Which I truly believe they did. 
Off to read your review. 
Norman

Interestingly, no-one mentioned Continuum and Rockport so far.

I would prefer a Rockport.  I remember clearly the Stereophile review if that turntable, I think in 1996.  I can't get past the Cobra arm, and of the two people I know that actually have it, they say it's a total pain in the butt to set up and swap out cartridges.  Something it shouldn't be for the price paid.

N.

There was time a long time ago in a place far far away that most of my customers had Rockport turntables.  One of the very few turntables to have its own vibration isolation system built in.  That was back in the Golden Age of Vibration Isolation, of course.