How good is the Micro Seiki DDX-1000 Direct Drive turntable ?

Being New to the HiFi Game will bring you very enjoyable experiences.
These experiences can be a Two Edged Sword, when entering the world of Vintage Products, especially DD TT's with complexities such as  electronic circuits and obsolete parts.

l will not discourage, I am using TT's from the same era you are enthusiastic about.
I don't Trouble Shoot Electronics but I do have a access to very helpful individuals/friends that are adept and in the know of how to overcome complications on TT's from this era.

Complications with the Platter Bearing can also be discovered on TT's from this era.
Dry Bearing Housings are to found with no signs of a functioning lubricant.
No way of knowing if metal dust contaminant is contained in the Bearing Housing as a result of a bearing running dry. 
Side Ways movement can be discovered when finger pressure is applied to the Platter Spindle, which indicates a excessive wear on the Bearing Housing Internal Bushes.
A Side Ways movement detected can have adverse effect on the Rotation of the Platter and create a eccentric rotation / untrue axis,
resulting in fluctuations to Speed Stability, especially noticeable when Speed is measured on a independent Strobe Device 
Additionally if the cause the eccentric rotation is a Dry Run Bearing Housing, resulting in Bush Wear, if a Sintered Bronze Bush is used, there is the likelihood that the Metal Dust is abrading the Spindle and Possibly the Thrust Pad Interface.
The created dust can also seal the Pores in a Sintered Bronze Bush blocking any residual lubricant from freeing itself.     
Scribing has been seen on the Ball at the Spindle/Thrust Pad Interface.

A much more affordable Vintage TT can be acquired from this era.
It will be capable of offering a a great deal of pleasure and learning.

A Tonearm can be selected that can be carried forward to any future TT Ventures.

I have as affordable DD TT's in my collection Aurex SR 510.
I have a report on the usage of these TT's from a person whose views I thoroughly Trust that these have a Sonic that is a close resemblance to
a certain model of a Micro Seiki DD TT.

I can send on this review to the OP if it is of interest.

I have a DD TT undergoing a Bearing Rebuild at present due to excessive side ways movement I detected on the Spindle Housing.
On investigation of the Spindle Housing with the Spindle removed, 
a Golden Hue could be seen which was suspected as Sintered Bronze Bushing Dust.
Another DD TT of the same model that is with the engineer carrying out my bearing overhaul, has on investigation of the Platter Bearing Assembly shown a deep scribe in the ball at the base of the Spindle.

To get a image of what the Scribe looks like, VAS NY Inc has a report on his social media of his undertaking a repair on a similar condition.  
    

My above Post is intended as a Guidance and consideration for @illmatic to use during his investigations into choosing a Vintage Era DD TT.
I incorrectly referenced the OP.

Hey pindac, you painted a real picture of doom and gloom for anyone interested in vintage tables. I think spindle bearing problems are far more rare than you make it sound. I've been collecting vintage tables for years and have yet to have a table with a badly worn bearing. Sure, it can happen but it's not the norm.Well, the first vintage table that I got was a Pioneer PL-41 and it had the typical disintegrated thrust pad. Machined a new one from Delrin, added oil and spindown without the belt on was a full 3 minutes. The bronze sleeve bearing and the spindle shaft looked as new, zero wear.

BillWojo

For individuals collecting Vintage DD TT’s in the days when they were a
few Hundred $/£’s.
It was simple you paid your money and took your chances,
’come what may ’ attitudes prevailed.
A bad deal become a Project or Donor Model.

I have happily had this attitude in Halcyon Days with Garrard 401’s and more recently Lenco GL 75’s to keep in with affordable Idler Drives.

Never did I raise any issues, or express any concerns about any of the Brands being purchased.
They were bought as Punt’s and a model that functioned faultlessly was a real bonus.
I also have a collection of Vintage DD TT’s, these are more commonly being found at elevated costs for Models that are readily available.

The member ’ illmatic ’ has expressed a interest in a DD TT that is potentially going to cost $3000 +.
I feel safe in expressing on behalf of ’ illmatic ’ this purchase type
is not a Punt Purchase, it is not a take your chances ’ Come What May’ Venture

I make no apologies for offering ’ illmatic ’ a description to help with understanding known issues, and helping to increase the awareness.
The information made known is real, the evidence is from a personal experience, or reports from trusted sources.

I am all for the use of Vintage TT’s as Original, as well as taking them into the Modern Era with exchange materials utilised to give them new set of sails.
I promote this attitude in the Social Networks I belong to and when opportunities arise I can participate in.

Here is my Take on it,
Vintage Idler Drives,
benefit from a Bearing Overhaul, Strip Back, Clean and Lubrication, the Bearings are rarely discovered to be dry on a inspection, this would be a indicator why no noticeable Sideways Movement on a Platter Spindle is detected.
Lubrication has been in contact with Inner Face of the Bearing Housing Bush and the Spindle, creating a tight tolerance.
There is a good possibility the Parts used are within the same tolerances as designed / produced by the manufacturer.

Vintage DD TT’s
I own Eight Models from Four Brands.
One Model after initial inspection was sent onto a Overhaul Service and has undergone all Mechanical and Electrical Components Servicing.
The Chassis was quite deteriorated, I had this returned to me and I had a Custom Spray Paint Service address the finishing.

I have to date opened up and inspected Four Bearing Housings and all are arid dry on inspection, as said one has shown a Golden Hue in the Housing that is suspected Bronze Bush Dust.
I have reported findings in the past on another forum and other Vintage DD TT owners have reported back about their dry Bearing Housings, one had shown a internal housing image, and I felt confident I was viewing a Gold Hue in that image.

I don’t think Spindle Bearing Problems on Vintage DD TT’s are rare, there are dry housings being discovered.
I would like to think that when undiscovered and untreated, the damages that can be incurred within a Bearing Housing are rare.
As a lot of rotations are required in a dry condition to produce the levels of worse case deterioration being reported.

A alternative picture of Doom and Gloom,
A fairly new to the HiFi Game individual, directs their attention to Vinyl Replay.
They then become aware of a particular Brand of a respected Vintage
DD TT.
They buy one for a Few Thousand + $’s.
They are in a Honeymoon Period and Invest in a much respected Tonearm and Cartridge configuration.
As their experience grows with the set up in their possession,
they learn of a few critical interfaces that must be accurate, and with new acquired knowledge, follow up investigations show there are concerning issues being discovered.
When reaching out for guidance they soon learn they are in a area where limited support is at hand.
Where does one find a Trusted Service, Capable of Machining the required parts and overhauling the assemblies the parts will be required to be reinstated in to.
Where does a person find the EE with a intimate knowledge and trouble shooting skills to repair and overhaul the Electronics that are causing erratic functions.

Off Course one can develop new skills that incorporate the above to keep their dream TT functioning.

My advice, offered to a beginner, entering into the world of Vintage DD TT’s with a suggestion to begin with a TT that allows a ’ come what may ’ purchase is a valuable advice to a Beginner.

For others interested in this issue, you might want to see the thread started a few years ago by Halcro regarding problems with direct drive turntables of vintage origin. I wrote in that thread that virtually no vintage turntable is irreparable as regards electronic problems. Almost any problem can be fixed. In my own personal experience having owned two SP 10 Mark 2s, Denon DP 80, Kenwood LO7D (2 samples), Sp10mk3, Lenco L75, and Victor TT101, all benefitted from a simple electronic rehab, eg, replacement of electrolytic capacitors and calibration, and only one was a real electronic problem that is now solved, the TT101. All also benefited from renewing the bearing lubricant; I found no bearing wells that were bone dry, but I did it anyway. As to eccentric wear on the bearing sleeve, I don’t know why that should happen with a direct drive, as there is no side force on the platter during use. This is unlike a belt drive turntable, where I might expect some of that sort of wear, due to the side force. Anyway, if you buy a precision  electronic and mechanical device that is minimum 30 years old or more, usually more, you ought to expect to do some rehabilitation before you are able to get maximum performance out of it. I am sure the original manufacturers never dreamed that we would still be using their flag ship products this far into their future.