Hardware or source materail

Thank you all for your responses. I did try the Schiit Mani 2 and it was the worst. Their support was limited to "just use the factory settings". I test using the Ortofon test vinyl.Tracking  and separation seems fine with the CA. Tracked everything up to the 80 um and broke up on the 90 and just bounced on the 100. I think the spec on the Blue is 80. This would seem to indicate that the issue was in the Schiit not the 'table.

I have not given up on the improved phono stage. I am looking around. Perhaps a tube but since I would still run through the CA, not sure if it is worth the expense vs as SS.

AKGWIZ - I think you may have it inverted. The blue is the upgrade to the red which BTW did make a noticeable improvment. 

I spent some time at Excel Audio in Newport Beach and auditioned some gear. Some of the best available and it was very impressive. My issue is that my room is so small it seems to me that I would reach a point of dimminishing returns very quickly. 

I don't think that a new amp will give you the pleasure of buying collector quality source material. An audiophile record is a joyful thing and you get to repeat the experience with each new title you buy.

I have a digital desktop system with a Denon PMA 2000ivr and a pair of Polk bookshelf speakers. I also have a main system with large Thiel speakers and Krell amplification that includes a turntable. My little desktop system sounds amazingly good.

I've got a couple of suggestions that will leave you with plenty of money to buy nice records.

1) Your turntable is excelIent but think a cartridge upgrade along with a separate phono preamp would be the best bang for your buck. I can vouch for the Hana SL cartridge. I have this in my main system and it made a big difference for the better. It has received stellar reviews. Regarding a phono preamp, there are lots of choices and you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a good one (Music Direct has a bunch of them). The key feature to look for is the ability to adjust the impedance for MC cartridges. There are also lots of choices used. Your Denon is a good amp but the phono section is its weak spot.

2) I bought a Black Ice Foz SSX Soundstage Expander for my smaller system and I really like it. You can narrow or expand the soundstage and a separate control adds bass warmth. It made a significant positive difference and costs about $600.

@noromance   Ah, I understand. Thought the comment was out of character. Thank you for clarifying.

  I put paying big bucks for vinyl low on the list, these days.  That isn't the way the wind is blowing.  And even though 45's can sound better, spending even more time cleaning and turning  records over is not very appealing.  And then there's the problems with the mastering of many reissues, which can make the records hit-or-miss.

 The source quality is often the least of my concerns, since I like many historical recordings and bootlegs of live recordings, where the quality of the recording is poor.  

   Since you express happiness with your current speakers: a better integrated will make every single thing you listen to sound better.  Including all the records you already have.  

This has been a very informative series for me. I thank you all for your responses. I will look into a stand alone phono pre. Any suggestions? Tube vs SS? My CA AXR was about $600 so not expensive. Any phono stage would be played through the CA which is SS amp. Dunno if that makes any real difference.100/watts/side though I rarely have it past 75% of power, small room and, well, wife.