I use a late-70s direct drive turntable (CEC DD-8200), from before the era of fancy quartz lock tables. There is no cogging at all, speed stability is exemplary

I use a late-70s direct drive turntable (CEC DD-8200), from before the era of fancy quartz lock tables. There is no cogging at all, speed stability is exemplary and the platter is not some sort of 10kg monstrosity. The whole thing about cogging in DD turntables was a rumor started by European boutique manufacturers, because they couldt compete with the R&D budgets and engineering employed by big companies like Technics/National, Sony, Denon, CEC, Pioneer, Mikro Seiki and others. It's a non-issue on any decent DD table. Cogging only happens in bargain basement tables, such as the cheapest modern USB lightweight plastic DJ-marketed tables. Super OEM tables are fine though.