[neobop]

I mentioned the Brinkmann Bardo in another thread.  This is the latest direct drive from Brinkmann and their least expensive table - approx. $8K w/o arm.
http://www.brinkmann-usa.com/main.php?prod=bardo&lang=en

The Oasis is also direct drive and looks like a Bardo with a conventional plinth.  The other 2 tables are more expensive belt drivers.

One thing I thought was crazy was a tube power supply for a table.  Maybe it's not so crazy.
http://www.brinkmann-usa.com/main.php?prod=roent&lang=en

http://www.stereophile.com/content/brinkmann-audio-bardo-turntable

neo

[neobop]

Bardo has a 22 lb platter and specially designed coreless motor.  While Fremer played with it (substitute arm/cart) just long enough to find something negative to say, that's not the case with other reviewers.  Here's an example:
http://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/brinkmann_bardo.htm

To elucidate on that deep bass aspect, I think this might be a more revealing opinion of actual differences:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1350410941&openusid&zz213cobra&4&5

neo