Midirons - thanks very much for your comments. I went through a similar exercise and ended up ordering the Pro-ject RM-5 today; it is the most recent table to be brought out by Pro-ject to compete with the Rega P3. There's a great review of the RM-5 on 6moons (notice how the sub platter resembles that of a Rega):
http://www.sixmoons.com:80/audioreviews/project3/combo.html
http://www.sixmoons.com:80/audioreviews/project3/combo.html