New TT or upgrade cartridge/platter on Project DC

You're coming from digital and have enough experience now to know you are into records. Great. Turntables and records are a whole thing unto themselves. The good news is there's no right or wrong. Any of the things you are considering, new cart, platter, whatever, they will all open up a new window in terms of sound quality. No doubt. So no worries there. 

What's different and pays to think about with turntables is they are (or can be) a very long term investment. Mine is more than 15 years old and is still going strong and far down the list of components I would like to upgrade. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367 There are lots of very old (vintage) turntables still very highly regarded. My point is a turntable can be a much more long term buy than just about anything else. 

So that is one upgrade path, to save until you can afford a level that will last you a good long time. But remember there is no right or wrong. Another equally good but different upgrade would be to plow as much as you can afford right now into a really good cartridge. 

The big advantage going this route is huge immediate improvement much greater than you could ever get with something like a better platter. If you go this route I would highly recommend something like the Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC https://sound-smith.com/cartridges/fixed-coil/zephyr-mimc-%E2%98%86 While $2k I believe all Soundsmith are 25% off right now. Ordinarily I wouldn't recommend putting a lot in a cartridge right away because they are sort of disposable items and I like to think more long term. But Peter Ledermann will rebuild these and for a good enough price you can consider them a longer term investment. 

Last thing to think about, the phono stage. Equally as important as all the rest. What are you using now?

Thank you MillerCarbon, that is a lot of good information to think about. Right now i’m my MA5200, I do not have a separate phone stage.

What mc notes is correct; I would add that you want to consider how much tinkering you like/want to do. If you enjoy optimizing mechanical systems, you will be well-rewarded with a more advanced table. That comes at a cost though, so you want to consider what kind of a budget you’re comfortable with.

Your MA5200 has a very solid MM phono section, so you can take advantage of a higher performance cartridge easily. That might also be a good way to get your feet wet with essential mechanical skills you’ll need to learn no matter which course you choose. Start with downloading a protractor and double-checking the alignment on your cartridge. That’s free and correct alignment is the most important part of getting the most out of your vinyl rig.

Second, verify the VTF. I don’t know if Debut ships with a scale, but if you don’t have one you’ll need to get one at some point anyway. They can be found at minimal cost for simple balance types. Just make sure you repeat the measurement several times to make sure you’ve got it right. The 2M Red supplied with your table has a specification of 1.8 grams. Note that you’ll want to recheck alignment and adjust if necessary because a change in VTF can cause a change in geometry too.

For the simplest and least costly upgrade, you should invest in a decent cleaning and anti-static accessory set. There are a lot of choices there, and searching the forums here will yield a lot of information. At a minimum, an anti-static carbon LP brush and a stylus brush are needed. I’d strongly recommend a wet cleaner to go along with that like the LAST offering or similar, but you have to decide what’s right for you.

Next, you could retrofit a 2M Blue stylus into your 2M Red body for an immediate improvement. That "should" preserve the geometry, but again use the protractor to verify that. You could upgrade the platter if you wish, but I’d suggest a disk clamp instead. That more tightly couples the vinyl to the platter to reduce resonances, tends to reduce the effect of warps and helps eliminate slippage. If you really want to try a new cartridge, the 2M Bronze could be worth the investment, but that’s between you and your wallet.

Beyond that, you’d be best served by moving to a more advanced table. The reality of the Debut is that it is an entry-level table and upgrading it yields comparatively modest results. Basically, a $500 rig can consume $1000 of tweaks and still be lacking. A $1500 table with $500 in tweaks can deliver years of satisfaction. In my case, I’m still using a SOTA Sapphire I purchased in 1984 for $900. That story was posted here years ago and is one of many similar tales.

Vinyl is the best part of the audio hobby IMO, and I heartily welcome you aboard. Remember always it is a hobby: Don’t obsess and don’t stress! Just enjoy.

Keep us posted on your progress and happy listening!