Hi Dan,
Two very different takes on vinyl. They are not close in any way that I hear.
I prefer the pace, timing and clarity of the Rockport. There is a solidity that I do not hear with the Walker. This is not meant in any way as a slight on the Walker, it is just a different approach and to my ears, direct drive, properly implemented, cannot be touched by most belt drive systems
I really like Lloyd and he works very hard at making his turntable sound great and I have heard the Walker sound magical, but the Rockport approach is much more elegant and simpler and that, to me, transfers sonically.
Regards,
Jonathan