For audio quality, go with a belt drive with a good tone arm. I have direct drive turntables used for DJing, Technics 1200s and a Vestax PDX2000s. The direct drive produces awesome power, but it can also produce some low end rumble. Not an issue when you are banging techno music in club, could be an issue for audiophile applications.
Try and track one of these down on E-bay, Vestax BDT-2500.
