How does the VPI Aries II stand up to current mid priced tables?

Thanks @bdp24 I always look forward to your input on most subjects.

Late to this but I'm not really a VPI fan EXCEPT the Aries! I have an Aries 1 with a TNT platter that I upgraded with the SOTA Eclipse motor and controller which is a noticeable sound upgrade from any of the VPI controllers. SOTA retrofit the motor into the Aries pod. I also added a VPI Fatboy unipivot arm. Couldn't be happier. I've tried a bunch of other tables in the 10k range and there's nothing clearly better until you get into things like Techdas bottom of the line or the Kuzma Stabi R or Brinkmann. There are tables that are just as good and sound different, like a Garrard 301 or the Feickert tables.

Late to this as well, but I picked up an Aries 3 with a 10.5i arm, it does have the acrylic platter but I believe all the turntables in the Aries series are tanks.  The plinths are the best part of these tables, yes everything can be upgraded for a cost and I think it would rival any of the VPI turntables currently except the higher ones such as avenger and such.

Mount an ET 2.0 arm on that table with Stillpoints and Sota's total Eclipse. 

I finally did get an Aries 3, after admiring their aesthetic for so long. Pretty well upgraded with super platter, single-motor flywheel, ring clamp, and HW40 feet. Now added Fatboy gimbal 10 arm and SDS too.

They're absolutely great tables! And after 15+ years of owning tables with springs or magnetic levitation, I'm really enjoying a NON suspended table for a change. These suspended tables all have their problem resonant frequencies in the subsonic range - easily excited by footsteps or loud SPL playback (unless you're on solid concrete slab), and then the problem becomes HUGE because the energy level is so massive that nothing will fully mitigate it short of a steep electronic rumble filter. The Aries 3 has its "problem" resonance in the 100Hz "drum beat" range. In my setups, the 100Hz is now so much easier to deal with, basically because the energy level is lower. I had a problem with the 3D arm making it much worse. But the 10.5i metal arm and Fatboy arm are great. The 10.5i is the quietest wand at 100Hz, but the Fatboy in sounds particularly fantastic and even matches well to Koetsu.

VPI tables don't use super exotic materials, but they're very well built with sensible proven materials, and a very well thought-out design overall. I enjoyed their setup and learning about them. I enjoy the tweak-ability and endless upgrade options. I really do enjoy the sound! I was wrong about the VPI unipivot being scary all these years - they're fine (my resonance issue with the 3D aside), and the dual pivot works well if you require more stability.