If you exclude really cheap/crap turntables, belt drive is the preferred choice of audiophiles due to the fact that the belt isolates the vibration of the motor from the platter and, in turn, the record groove itself.
Everything is built to a price and for this reason, audiophile turntables often tend to be missing 'extras' like strobe lights, automatic speed change, brakes, pitch controls etc, that way, more money is spent on parts that affect sound quality - better quality motors and tonearm bearings that provide reliable accurate speed stability and friction free tonearm movement.
A cynic might argue that belt drive is simply much cheaper to produce and make a higher profit on of course...
Having said all that, I have just replaced my belt drive 'high end' Michell Gyrodec with a direct drive Audio Technica LP1240 DJ turntable because it is far more convenient for playing 45s, built like a tank, has a USB port and a built-in phono stage.
My 'HiFi' listening isn't done via vinyl anymore and when playing NS 45s, the difference in sound quality between the two is negligible.