I have three tables and plane on keeping only two. And I am no tech guy by no means
I have a Sony PS-LX520 linear TT w/ a simple AT cart, and really love the sound and ease of use. Low mass arm for sure. As long as you clean the rear bar and relube it, it should float smooth forever. That is technically a straight arm that produces sound from a critical point... the same spot the masters were cut from and they keep distortion way and alignment great. Auto silence circuitry makes this table really quite too.Hooked up to my mid 80's ONKYO or TECHNICS receiver and FISHER huge floor speakers, I get quite an awesome sound. Surprises me actually. OK the other two.
My Harman Kardon T-25 is a straight arm, (low mass) table. 1.1 pound base, not the huge 4 pound like on the T-65. Still impressive. Simple and beautiful. Sounds incredible. Quiet and faithful reproduction. I have that hooked up to a Telefunken TR-400 DC series receiver. Monster unit. Great phono preamp - great everything. Its a beast. I have this hooked up to PSB Alpha1 bookshelf speakers and it crisp and clean.
My third table has a J-arm. Just picked it up so I cannot say much about it yet. AT cart (all 3 have AT carts).
Its a pretty rare table and I got it for free basically still in the box, with the styrofoam etc. It's an "Optonica 4705" (rare high end automatic table made by Sharp) w 1/4" tempered glass lid. Awesomely different, and fits perfect to a "T" on top of the Telefunken receiver with a lot of clearance under it as well. It nice to see a J arm again too. Linear, straight and J. I only want to keep two.
The thing is... all three are awesome! OK, my point. They all sound great. The H/K is crystal clear (might be the cart but I cannot see any numbers and I WILL NOT unbolt it). It's elegant. The linear is very cool tech wise and sounds great too. Very clean but maybe not as "rich" as the H/K. Simple to use. The "Optonica" is kinda space age - that glass lid and perfect sizing for the Telefunken makes it really cool along w/ the chrome J arm. Even thought the platter sits very low inside the deck, it must weight 3 pounds! Very warm sound to this table. Reminds me of the 70's while listening to an album. I like them all. Why did I post this again?