Hehe... Your T/T in partcular has come on leaps and bounds since I last heard it.
Based on what I've heard with both decks, I think I prefer a nicely performing TD124 to the same from a Garrard. For me, the Thorens has a less coloured, more open sound, much like the Techy, and with its control, solidity and musicality. I like Garrards, too, but they're a touch too 'heavy' sounding for me, particularly when taking the sonic signature of my current system into consideration and the type of cartridges I like to use. One can so easily over-egg the pudding!
Marco.