Do turntables sound like they look? For example, VPis have more traditional looks while Clearaudios look contemporary. Others, like sme, look like are blobs with no personality, to my eyes. Can you enjoy sound of a contemporary table less if you prefer more traditional looks, and vice versa?
Not in my limited experience. When I used an HRX, I had two platters for it, the stock acrylic and the super platter (stainless steel and IIRC delrin). The platters made the sound different although the table still looked the same except for color. I'm pretty sure changing the VPI Classic's platter will do something similar. Flipping over my Millenium Mat or removing it altogether likewise changes the sound. That's an even better example since you don't see the mat or lack thereof when an LP is on the platter.