I'm another one who's baffled by people saying they can hear "micro speed variations" from the friction of the needle on the groove. Unless these people can identify the errors without measuring, it doesn't matter. Wow and flutter specs on belt drive tables have never been as low as direct drive, but it's good enough that it doesn't call attention to the variations. As often as I see people go to guitar shops to have their instrument tuned and as badly out of tune as I hear people play and sing, I just don't believe they hear what they say they do. Emmylou Harris is a good example- her intonation used to be OK, but I can't listen to her recent stuff and I would like to test these bozos for their ability.
I don't know how much the acrylic platter will improve the sound, although its weight may make the speed more stable by averaging the fluctuations better than a lightweight version. As long as the platter doesn't ring like a bell or contribute to excessive static buildup, it should be fine in whatever material.
WRT drive motors 'cogging', I saw a lot of inexpensive turntables with extremely light cast aluminum platters in the '70s and '80s that performed well enough- I seriously doubt motor technology has slipped so far that they can no longer make an AC motor that stays at the correct speed, as long as it's synchronous. The Quartz-locked speed control is nice, but the magnetic coating on the bottom of the platter can lose its strength, if located near a strong enough field and I have also seen the pickup head fail, which is a problem if the problem became common or if the table wasn't produced in large quantities.
As far as complexity, the comment “Everything should be as simple as it can be, but not simpler” applies to turntables very well. As much as I like my turntable, its complexity is causing some problems that need to be addressed- if they continue and/or become more severs, it will just be a paper weight.
At the moment, I'm looking at older Thorens tables, but finding myself incredibly annoyed by seeing so many that were dismantled, just so the seller can make a few more dollars by selling it as parts, rather than a complete item that may, or may not work properly. Idiots!
I'm surprised that the "experts" haven't debated the filament used for the anti-skate weight to the degree of the other inconsequential things. At some point, I expect someone to come out and say that Spider Wire fishing line is the best, only to be bested by someone who says that actual spider silk is better for sound, but only if it comes from the correct specie.
Oh, look! I found this on the Needle Doctor site- I hope it works as well as intended.
http://www.needledoctor.com/MIT-Z-Duplex-20A-Super-In-wall-Power-Conditioner_2