The responses are appreciated. Do you guys think that intermediate players (me and my friends) could appreciate the difference in, say, a new Valley 7 ft table vs. a new Diamond 7 ft? The Diamond appears to cost about twice as much. Assuming both have Simonis cloth. As I said, I can afford to buy the Diamond but I just hate 'wasting' money when it really doesn't make any difference. I don't know the answer to this question, I do not have experience on good tables. I always looked forward to a good table and now, I will get one, it's just a matter of which one.
EDIT: I am age 67. I kinda doubt I will improve a whole lot. I've never had a lesson but I have done a bit of practice over a few months and I might have improved a little but not a lot. At this time, I do not see me doing league, my play would just be casual. League would require going into the city, which I detest these days.