I'm extremely late to the party... I have a p5. I upgraded to the white belt a few months ago and noticed an improvement. I upgraded to the groovetracer subplatter and I'm amazed at the difference. Your explanation was exactly what I experienced.
Upgrade from Rega P3-24 .....
Please take a look at my current updated system's analog front end. I am perhaps considering an upgrade, thinking about the Rega RP6 and the VPI Traveler, with a nicely matching high output MC or MM cartridge. My total budget is around $2000. Would either of these tables be a considerable enough upgrade over my current system to justify a new purchase ? Or would I need to spend more $$$ to really hear an improved sound ? Other thoughts ? I love the way my system sounds now, but may be experiencing a bout of "upgrade fever." I've already taken some aspirin, but the fever won't go away.