Rega, Music Hall or VPI

Your first and your last decent table could be Nottingham. No upgrades, no need. I will keep my Spacedeck until I am prepared to spend at least $5k on used table/arm, that's $10k new set-up. Simple, reliable, sounds big and confident.
I am not familiar with Clearaudio.

With VPI, you can go from the HW-19 all the way up the line without buying a new table. They have a clear, easy to follow upgrade path, and from what I know; you can do it yourself, no need to send anything back.

Shimanole,
I suggested the Thornes and Dual due to better build quality over the Rega RP-1. Never been of fan of Rega tables they have an unfinished look and feel. The P3 has always sounded thin and hollow, lacking body, weight and warmth. The Music Hall 2.2 could be a great value but the 5.1se appears to be the best sound per $$$ model in the current product line. The Needle Doctor carries Thorens and Quest for Sound has Dual turntables. Both are very respected online dealers and will answer any questions. Good luck.

I got lucky with a "not particularly well regarded" used Linn Basik/Akito combo...best under 500 bucks I've ever spent, and, although it is simple and unsprung, after careful setup (mostly due to following the suggestion of putting it on a low-mass, stable low table after an attempt at sticking it on top of my rack heap...bad idea...) I'm AMAZED at how great it sounds. I'll replace it with something expensive someday...maybe something with a gigantic opaque platter and rubber isolation crap everywhere...

The Mk IV is in the upper end of the high end. Based on what I know about VPI, it's also easy to upgrade.

VPI for sure

Definitely the VPI from that list with the Mk IV being the best of the lot. Others to consider used are Sota Star or Sapphire, Oracle Delphi or Alexandria MkII or III, Townshend Rock III.

Take your time and look for a good used HW-19 mkiv. with or without the tonearm, you can buy a good Jelco 250 for 300.00.

w/o tonearm around $600 is a good price for the table

Of the names you mention, get the VPI, definitely!

How does the enty level Thorens and Dual compare to Rega and Music Hall?

Thanks

Remember reviews are more about entertainment then help. A used VPI is the clear choice of the turntables mentioned. Have you considered a new entry level Thorens or Dual table? On the low end consider a used Denon DP-500 for $300-$400. Add the iconic Denon 103 cartridge(if you have enough gain)and enjoy!!!

You will need $800. dollars worth of tweeks with the P3. I vote for the VPI HW-19.