Why do turntables sound different?

Very very good turntables, like other great components have exceptional transparency, which makes them sound more alike than different. 

anvil_turntables

Very very good turntables, like other great components have exceptional transparency, which makes them sound more alike than different.

+1. And I would add that the very best turntable systems sound very much like the best digital.

moonglum,

Visited both of your links this morning. Again, I appreciate your solid information. Much food for thought here. Will definitely help and effect my future decision.

Best to You
Norb

Yesterday I saw the Avid contest again.

Three turntables (Diva II, Sequel, Acutus) same tonearm (SME IV)
and cartridge (Nagaoka MP-150).

It was astonishing agein to here such really significant differences in
performance.

Responding to "james1969"

In terms of TT Bearing Oil, no they are not created equal and I would highly recommend the proprietary bearing oil that George Merrill has developed. 
You and other readers may wish to consult the following:
   Turntable Design 1 http://hifigem.com/turntable-design-1.html
   Turntable Design 2 http://hifigem.com/turntable-design-2.html
   Turntable Weights & Clamps http://hifigem.com/record-weights-and-clamps.html
   The Phono System Chain http://hifigem.com/the-phono-system-chain.html
   Torque Recoil http://hifigem.com/torque-recoil.htmlhttp://hifigem.com/

Just interesting reading from a fellow enthusiast and turntable designer.  Hope some insight can be gained and either confirm or refute presumptions, assumptions, and the like.  Happy Listening!