I realize it isn't a fair fight when you're comparing turntables with a big price difference, but from what I have heard from Pro-Ject, Music Hall and Rega, they're telling you wrong on the characteristics. To a Rega fan, a Music Hall or Pro-Ject can sound sluggish and muddy. To a Pro-Ject and Music Hall fan, a Rega can sound lean and analytical. They're all nice, but they have identifiable differences that are relatively consistent. I'm not claiming Rega is better or that you're dissing it. I'm just saying I think what they told you is flawed.

As for the RP1's platter...I'd rather have that than the steel platter on my Debut III, so it wouldn't ring and moving-coil cartridges wouldn't stick to it.