Huxley... can't go wrong with a Technics sl1200s. I've owned 2 since about '96 and have never had a problem. Mechanically, they are very sound and well made... for this reason, many DJs use them because of the stress of scratching, etc. does on the tone-arm and drive.
However, if you are not going to be scratching, you might want to consider a cheaper "belt drive" table, instead of the "direct drive" of the 1200s.
Either way, you can't go wrong with these tables... they will last. I would suggest to try to pick one up used and save some money that would be best spent on a cartridge/needle. This is where you are going to find the biggest difference in sound. Look for one's that work well with the table you want and be prepared to balance them correctly.
If you do buy used, make sure you know if all the balancing equipment is included. These are very small pieces that are often lost by the original owner, but you can also pick up replacements. Without these, the needle will push too hard or too soft on the record, which can destroy the record/needle and cause tracking issues.
If you are going to spend some money on used, check out before you buy... tables that aren't rugged as the 1200 and were used wrongly can cause you significant problems.