Which turntable? Pro-Ject or VPI?

VPI and I am biased since I have the HW40 direct drive. 

Neither.

Either

TT with a tonearm with removable headshell

or

No Tonearm, add arm with removable headshell

or

TT that allows a 2nd Tonearm, 

1st Tonearm: EASY Arm Height Adjustment

VPI. I have an older Aries Scout with AT 0C9XSL cart going into Parasound components and am super happy. I think the VPI gives you solid but lively tables. 

VPI of the 2....but prefer Michell turntables.

Just Listed:

advanced VPI, read about it’s upgrades, allows changeable arm wands if you want in the future

higher cost than you are considering, however, IMO a much better choice if the money can be found. divided by several years, the extra money is not as much as it seems, the higher quality/features begin on the 1st day

note: has anti-skate feature, many don’t