HELP Rega P-7; VPI Classic 2; Scout 2 or ?

I love the Quatros. Had Thiel 3.6 prior. Auditioned several makes, incl the 2.4 from Thiel as well as B&W, Avalon, Merlin and Sonas Faber Cremonas. All great, but the Vandesteens were super transparent with depth and aire. Very happy so far.

I would suggest that the P5 is probably better value for the money than the P7. I would also guess that if you like the sound of your P3, that you will probably prefer the Rega sound to the VPI. Certainly both are fine tables.

I have owned a Scout(didn't like), a VPI Classic (current, and love it), and the Clearaudio Performance, which I would highly recommend. Not a big fan of the Rega's.

I would match anything with the Soundsmith cartridges, which I am now totally in love with.

I had the Clearaudio Performance SE with the ceramic magnetic bearing and Satisfy Carbon arm. At the time I had the Clearaudio Talismann V2 cart. A great little kit for $5k. Clearaudio tables are very dynamic and transparent with great bass slam. Some say they can be too analytical...I guess that depends on your system and cart. I could easliy have lived happily with that combo. I kept it less than 1 month however and took advantage of the ability to return the table/arm for a full credit towards a higher end table.

I chose to stick with Clearaudio. This time I went with the Innovation Wood Compact and their top of the line radial arm, the Universal with the VTA lift option. I could not be happier..... being able to adjust VTA on the fly is a joy. The movement is smooth with resistance like a fluid panning head for a video camera. For the cart, I did not go with Clearaudio and opted for the Shelter Harmony. It's been a great marriage and the music has never sounded better on my system.

speakers: Wilson W/P 8's
amps: Pass Labs XA 100.5 class A monoblocks
pre-amp: Mark Levinson 380S
phono-pre: Clearaudio Balance+ with the DC power accumulator power supply.

I'd pick the P7 as the RB700 is a significantly better arm than the VPI 9 IMHO