What about SOTA? I just moved laterally from a P3 to a SOTA Sapphire series II. The sound was starkly better, blacker background, better inner detail, the instruments seemed clearer, less distortion. You get the picture. There is a Sapphire fitted with a RB250 right now for under $700! The 250 is a good combination, and you could upgrade the armboard in the future(it looks like MDF). This is the combination I have and I love it. Plus SOTA tables have pitch control to lock in the speed without another purchase. They also use springs but in an inverted application, as opposed to VPI.
Rega or VPI
I currently have a music Hall MMF-5 with a shure V15VxMR cartridge. My local dealer has a Rega P25 with the RB600 tonearm, on consgnment for $750. I am tempted to snap it up. Would there be a noticeable difference in the sound quality? Would I be better off waiting and spending a little more on a VPI? Would the Shure be a good match for a while?