WHAT TURNTABLE?

I would also highly suggest you contact the Reference Analog. The owner is Jeff Harris and is one of the best analog guys around. He does in home cartridge setup and will not steer you wrong. I’ve bought all my gear from him, including all my VPI tables and other gear. PM me and I can get you connected with him - I think it is worth a call to see what he can offer you (pricing, service, etc). He has been a great resource for after service care with setup and other issues that have came about.  I think you'd be surprised how close the pricing is with some of the used VPI tables on the market, and with the knowledge and support Jeff provides, it is well worth it, imho.

In the long run, you will be better off learning how to setup your own cartridge. Even if a bouncy unipivot doesn't bother you like it does some, that doesn't really make it any tougher to setup a cartridge. You could always buy an inexpensive cart to get started and get your confidence up and change it when you feel that you're up to it.

Honestly, I wouldn't choose either of these tables at this price point, but if you lean to the Rega, I'd be cautious regarding the Apheta carts. A number of threads about trouble with hum, etc. with them that had no easy solution. Pretty widely documented. FWIW, I am a former VPI owner (TNT6HR, 12.6 and 12.7 arms), and would never go back to a VPI. Not looking to throw shade, but for all the VPI owners, there's also a bunch who have moved elsewhere to greater satisfaction. Cheers,
Spencer

I own a VPI Prime Signature.  It's honestly one of the best tables for the money today.  The Unipivot are is a pain - unless you add the dual pivot (a used table may have it already).  Makes setting azimuth a breeze and can almost be done on the fly.  But save your records and move the arm back to the rest first.  I recently added a 2nd arm to mine.  No, an actually mounted 2nd arm.  No mods to the table were made.  And this is the nicer thing about VPI tables, they can be modded.  Heck, Harry and Mat both commented positively on the mod!

Anyway, I digress.  The Prime Sig. has such great features I can objectively say the advertising for it is not hype.  Of course, your cartridge choice will make a huge impact on how it plays.  But that's the thing with VPI tables.  You can start with the basic table and add/swap/change around the different things as time goes on to build it better.  They have a gimbaled arm if you don't like the Unipivot.  Add the SDS/ADS/Phoenix speed controller.  Add the periphery ring.  Get multiple arm wands and swap cartridges based on needs.  

For the money, the VPI is and was my choice.

I haven't heard the Rega. I am currently using a one-off VPI "Scout Supreme" which approximates the Prime Signature on the Scout chassis. After years of using VPI unipivots (JMW-9 and 3D-10) I went with a gimbaled 3D-10 on this table. Could not be happier. Easy peasy to set up and use, sounds incredible. My recommendation is that if you choose the VPI Prime Signature, swap out the arm for a gimbaled fat boy and you will be very happy.