@whart I like yourself have evolved into where I am at present with a LP Repaly Source.
I started out as a first attempt to build a dedicated HiFi System with a Belt Drive Linn Deck.
Not too long after I went for the Idler Drive Deck and have had these in a few versions, with completely rebuilt Platter Bearing Assemblies, as the main TT's in use for many many years.
Today I am using Vintage Japanese Direct Drive TT's, of which the main used model has a Platter Bearing Modification, and is to undergo a complete new design to be put into use. My other DD TT's are all to have a bearing housing with modern materials used to redesign the bearing.
My experience is that there can be endless efforts made to improve on a TT, but any of these only really seem to show their true value, when the Platter Bearing is totally optimised to function. Modern materials used in place of the parts selected when the design was produced, offer a very satisfying alternative.
Having purpose produced parts made, that are much improved in tolerances, over the generic parts used by the manufacturer, offers a much improved assembly of the bearing housing.
Additionally removing sacrificial parts belonging to the bearing assembly, that 'may' have developed a excess wear and 'potentially' been subjected to an non ideal environment to function in for many years is not a bad idea to consider either.
My experiences with the Idler drives with rethought out platter bearing designs is indelible, when the benefits of such a practice is recollected.
The start of this method used with the DD TT's is producing a very similar experience as well.
Hence, why the Kuzma TT's have caught my attention, the Platter Bearing produced for this Brand of TT, even though a different design to ones I have work carried out on, is produced using materials that I tend to consider to be utilised when a bearing is to worked on for me.