Rega or VPI

Jdodmead,
Ask yourself - what is it that you don't like about your MMF so much that you are willing to pay a premium? Maybe after you find the answer your search will be easier?

I think Alex_yakovlev poses a great question. What are you looking for? If you can take the Rega and demo it in your own home, that's a BIG plus! If you get it in your system and it does what you're looking for, then you have your answer.

That being said, you can probably find a used VPI HW19 mkIII in your price range, set up with some kind of decent arm--Rega, AudioQuest, and sometimes ET2s are popular on these--and I can vouch for the goodness of the HWs. Sound great, and built (and sized) like tanks! I nearly bought one but found a good deal on a used Gyrodec at the last minute--however either would be equally welcome in my home :)

I was never a strong believer in all of this. I never believed that cables could make such a huge difference either.
I went from a MMF7 to the Vpi HW19jr. I was told here, that was like going from a Toyota Camry to a Honda Accord. Well, that is about as far from the truth as you can imagine. The difference was not subtle at all. In fact it was huge.
Now I am being told that if I add a Express Machine heavyweight in place of my stock AQ PT6 counterweight, I will see huge gains by this upgrade. All I can say is I 50/50 believe it. And I will try it.
I have only been into the vinyl again for about a year now. I had been out of it since the 70's. So I don't have all of the answers, and I would never claim to. But I do know that there is a definate difference in the design of the 2 tables. I believe and have read that the suspended designs sound warmer. I like the warm sound and that is why I like the Vpi so much. The Regas are an excellent choice though. Most every body agrees that they are a great table.
You need to be the judge. It all depends on what you want your system to sound like. The Regas are dependable. But the Vpi's can be upgraded to the hilt. That is also a huge plus. Because you know, it does not ever end!!

Most everybody agrees that Bose are great speakers...

What about SOTA? I just moved laterally from a P3 to a SOTA Sapphire series II. The sound was starkly better, blacker background, better inner detail, the instruments seemed clearer, less distortion. You get the picture. There is a Sapphire fitted with a RB250 right now for under $700! The 250 is a good combination, and you could upgrade the armboard in the future(it looks like MDF). This is the combination I have and I love it. Plus SOTA tables have pitch control to lock in the speed without another purchase. They also use springs but in an inverted application, as opposed to VPI.