Good Direct Drives

@lewm SP10R may have the best speed stability of any modern turntable, but it doesn't mean that it sounds the best. 

SP10R is just the drive, in my opinion the only way to go is to get the solid high mass metal plinth full blown SL-1000R. But it will retail for $16,000-$20,000. So it should be compared to TechDas Air Force II, SME Model 20, etc. 

I seriously doubt the Technics could sound better than those. 

If all the tables you mention have SME arms and 2M black cartridges they should sound the same .  

I havent heard the SL1000r but to my ears the SP-10mk2 sounds better than SME Model 30. So, it really depends.

Obviously everyone likes what they like. But preferring the sound of SP-10MKII over SME Model 30... I just can't relate to that.  

SME 30 sounds slow and dark to my ears. It is no secret. Many have commented it sound that way. It does all the good things of a suspended belt drive: fluid, holographic soundstage, low noise and high resolution but when it comes to preserving the life, transients and tempo of real instruments playing, it is no where near the SP10 mk2. Thankfully the SP-10 is also very quiet and high resolution so it is not a one trick pony.