What is turntable “liveliness”.

I have been through Belt Drive, Idler Drive and Direct Drive TT's, of which I have come to settle with DD as my 'go to' design.

Additionally I have heard my TT in quite a few different systems where there have also been BD, ID or DD as the resident TT's.

I have no prejudice against other Drives, I have been impressed during my own ownership and through experiencing those owned by others.

I would say a ID TT, has it's feet firmly bedded in the substrate, and can be a experience, where the Bass Range can be very present, to the detriment of the MId's and Highs. I have experienced this to become much improved by the use of a off board Speed Controller, and have heard a range of Speed Controllers that are able to be quite perceivable on how they impact on the perception of Bass being present. 

Today I firmly believe the 'structure/materials' used for producing the TT and the method used to support the TT in the home environment are quite capable of impacting on the produced sonic for the better or the worse.   

Experiences have shown a certain design for a TA, that is quite a common design/geometry, can substantially inhibit the sonic and produce a subdued sound, that is seemingly on a leash/constrained. This in itself could create plenty of descriptions as an explanation for what an alternative and less constrained presentation from a different TA>TT can sound like.   

                                 What @lewm said, +1

                                      It's a, "system".

                                     Holism matters!

Yes. Turntables matter enormously as does the arm and cartridge. I am very aware of that as are most of responders. I have heard many turntables from $1K to at least $75K. 

@ghdprentice If you are able to detect a reduction in smearing, which I usually refer to as being able to detect Micro Detail, Micro Dynamics and a Envelope of a Note or Vocal. This is a valuable place to be when wanting to know how resolving the Vinyl Source is.

This detail production is extremely valuable and when perceived as being present, is a justification for the monies outlaid on various upgrades over time, or the extensive investigations and trials undertaken to create the perception.

During the development of a TA, I was party to, there was always a earlier guise at hand to compare the progressive works with. It was quite amazing at times, how a older guise, that had already seriously impressed and been instrumental in creating a change to ones own equipment in use, could be perceived as being quite wanting, as it was noticeably smearing details and the envelope, when compared to the latest design under trial. 

Note: The experience of producing impressive resolution is commonly found by working out the best mechanical interfaces and when something new and quite attractive is found, for most much of the investigation for betterment stops.

The Signal Path is a fragile necessity, and when the mechanical interfaces are close to optimisation, the Signal Path will be the failing for the realizing the full potential of what is already achieved for the resolving qualities of the source.

I have encouraged other to and have myself  worked with the Signal Path, from Wand Wire, through to Pre-Amp' and can assure anybody, that as a simple effort, exchanging the RCA Connection to Low Eddy Types on both Cables and Amp' Chassis, will allow much more to be perceived as a imagery, in relation the sonic produced, a veil 'will' be lifted, if the mechanical interface on the source is optimised, a treatment of the Signal Path will produce a Night and Day difference and the discovery will not be wanted to be changed.

Extend this experience to trialling different Wire Types and the personalisation to attain a sonic that really meets ones unique preferences begins.

My suggestion for a Wire Type and being a vociferous advocate for these wire types are well known within this forum.  

So assuming a turntable has low noise and decent speed control, how can it sound any different than another with similarly low noise and speed control?  Using the same tonearms and carts of course.