VPI Traveler vs Pro-ject Xpression III?

I would have used the ortofon mc-3 turbo, so that is a fixed cost of $350 and puts the Xpression lll at $1050 + $30 more for a clever clamp. It puts the Traveler at $1750 and puts the RP6 at $1850 + $25 for the diuble-sided suede mat I am using. You can find all of these at lower "demo" prices. I was lucky to hear all 3 tables with the same or very similar carts: the mc-3 turbo on both I owned and the Traveler had a 10x5 dynavector. I think the RP6 showed up in spades doing exactly what I wanted. I liked the traveler also except the startup belt slippage and creaking plus I wanted a little more PRAT from it.

I'm a music lover and physicist working in a lab full of equipment. While I have no love for the less than stellar (being polite) precision, speed stability, and bearing noise of a VPI's, nobody is doing anything better at the price and I'd take the VPI over the project. Projects are spotty, good luck talking to them for help, VPI is here and will be here.

It's beyond me why a commpany making class stuff, like SME or Basis, won't enter this price arena and really show us great stuff that is affordable.

There, if you don't trust a biochemist/molecular biologist (me), then for goodness sake trust a physicist!

About biological things I trust the biologist.

About mechanical things, things of physics, I trust the physicist.

PRAT: For years I wondered what the devil folks were dreaming about with this term. It's hardly something you can put your finger on IMO. But, having perfect pitch, some tables would drive me crazy - nearly all those with servo circuits, and many belt drive. But Linn was one of the few that sounded speed stable. Then I started measuring them all. Huge differences in speed stability, like 100x from best to worst. And Linn is one of the very best.

My guess is that the PRAT they are referring to is their sensation of speed stablity they get from Linn.

Some folks don't seem to notice pitch instability at all.

I still hate the term, like I hate all "undefined, insider lingo" that cliques tend to use....usually to make individuals seem "in the know", and to elevate themselves above others that don't use the lingo, I believe.