Someone posted 'vintage means basic….pre- DD'.
Isn't direct drive basic? Its direct drive, direct, straight to the point, no middle man, no fluff, no extra parts, belts, or what have ya to get in the way, such as indirect drive?
Best vintage turntable for me is the Technics SL-1200mk2. Stock. Over 25 years of daily use and not one single problem; the pop-up light was replaced when it went out, but I wouldn't call that a problem. Pitch control, start/stop, etc- spot on!
I don't know of anything of mine that can hold the title for functioning trouble free- for so long- and still be able to make me smile from enjoyment of using it, to the pleasure of listening.
My old 20? inch RCA color television lasted from the beginning days of Atari to well after college graduation. Wow. But that doesn't count for this thread.
My all around vintage turntable vote to be called 'the best' is the Technics SL-1200mk2.