Turntable advice

I'm a long time VPI user, but I'd go with the PF based on what I've seen/heard. 

I'll let others comment on technical superiority on which is "better?"

To my ears, both can be satisfying limited by choice of phonostage, which you'll want to address also.

Whichever you decide on, real time speed montoring/correction is paramount at the level you're seeking. Phoenix(Sota) controller highly suggested on the VPI. I don't think it can be used on the PF?  

VPI is a contentious brand. On paper-wrong on just about everything. What I hear on a properly setup however, is just a "good" as the anything else in price point.

If you go VPI-gimbal arm over the unipivot.

On a personal note- The PF has a more "traditional look" which I find appealing.

I think that all of us can see where this is going. Two fine turntables, but is the cartridge at the same level and we know that the built in phono stage needs to be upgraded to take advantage of such fine tables. Putting together an analog system is really challenging. There must be a right way to do it, but I certainly didn’t do it right. In an ideal world, I would listen to as many systems as possible and then duplicate the setup that provided the most smiles. There are those on this forum, whose system has gone through years of upgrades. If only we could invite ourselves over for dinner and a spin. Once you add up the costs to put together a great system, you should ask yourself, what if I took that money and upgraded my digital, power…etc.?

Always buy something that will push you to upgrade something else. Otherwise you have to upgrade both in the future.