Top of the list has to be the superb Akai AP-006. Lovely to behold and feels good using it - no flowery audiophile language needed. Completely manual - no automatic return or auto-anything - so not necessarily the simplest turntable to use but still perfect. Yes it sounds great too :)
Second on the list is the Technics SL-1600mkii. The complete opposite of the Akai AP-006 - fully automatic with ALL the bells and whistles- but an amazing piece of engineering mastery.
Third on the list is the Technics SP-10 Mkii (I really should take a photo of mine). Massively powerful motors (they put the SL-1200mkii DJ decks to shame), hugely versatile as you can decide which plinth you want to put it in, connect your tonearm of choice and basically have the best of all worlds.
Yes I'm very much a Direct Drive fan!
Belt drive turntables that I have liked the most include:
Linn sondek LP12 - They actually did do it better than their competition
Micro Seiki BL-51 - one of the best bearings out there
Akai AP-B20 - an oddity indeed that doesn't like like it should sound good at all....but it does
Akai AP-100C - a much better looking Akai, sounds great and very easy to use