I do not own a GT 2000 or any of its variants, so I cannot comment on how that particular table does sound. I do own A DP 75, which is the US imported version of the DP 80 minus the pitch controls. From people who own them, the are considered to be on the same level. I also own a SP 10 MK II.
The comments I have are this. I do not think holding the Japanese hobbyist up as some infallible arbiter on analog performance is a good idea. We did that with the British audiophile and hi fi press, and this brought us the perceived dominance of the LP 12. Secondly, while the GT 2000 is not cheap when new, as an integrated package it is less expensive than buying a DP 80, SAEC arm, and a plinth. The consideration of value to the Japanese audiophile may have influenced its popularity and sale numbers. In short, it was a great deal.
Now when you have a piece that is as popular as the basic 2000 was in Japan, is that what most audiophiles want to own? From what I have observed of human nature, people who prize their audio equipment want it to be distinctive and perhaps even rare. So the upgrades to the stock table have an interested audience, and I doubt the Japanese audiophile is significantly different than their world wide brethren. Then comes the discussion of value, diminishing returns, and what incremental improvements are worth. These concepts are bandied around here on a weekly basis, and there is no reason that the GT 2000 should be immune to these same equations. Exactly what does one get when they buy some of these upgrades, such as the high mass platter: improved performance, exclusivity, or a combination of both? What I do know is that when I put a high mass platter on my SP 10, I hated the end result, and returned to the stock platter. And this movement of putting a high mass platter on the SP 10 MK II originated in Japan. See what I mean about the dangers of thinking the Japanese hobbyist is infallible?
So what does this post mean? What am I trying to say? Not much. Other than that sometimes we create solutions to problems that do not need solving. That certain revered groups are given an aura of superiority that may or may not be appropriate. That all of us desire to be distinctive, and even unique. One way be can do that is by owning treasures that others do not. As I think about it, its going to be extremely difficult to do a side by side comparison of a GT 2000 and a DP 80, unless the owner is willing to obtain a second matching Yamaha arm to make this comparison fair. To be even more "fair" the DP 80 would also need a plinth built in the same manner as the GT 2000, along with the Yamaha arm. Otherwise the comparison is of two similar analog "systems" but they are not close enough to make definitive declarations that the drive unit, platter, bearing, logic control, resonance control, or design of one unit is inherently superior to the other.
Here is an idea. Why don't we just buy the turntables we enjoy, that give us satisfaction in listening to music, and spin our favorite records. I have owned several types of turntables over the last few years, making an exploration of some well regarded tables. I found excellent examples of idler drives, belt drives, and direct drives. I have to admit I prefer these two direct drives to the others I have owned. Also, that one day I may try an uber belt drive, if I feel compelled to do so. But what I do know is that I can find genuine enjoyment in all types of better quality turntables. There is joy to be had in owning a GT 2000, SP 10, DP 80, SOTA, Oracle, Linn LP 12, VPI, Merrill, Townshend, Well Tempered, Vyoyd, Transrotor, and many many others. Turntables are distinctive, buy the one that suits you the best.
Regards
Mister Pig