New TT or upgrade cartridge/platter on Project DC


Quick backstory: I purchased a Pro-ject Debut Carbon with 2M red cartridge around Thanksgiving to start my vinyl journey. I didn’t want to go overboard to start as I was unsure of my interest level. I’ve been strictly digital prior  playing MQA files through a Bluesound Node 2. Since then I’ve quickly accumulated over a 150 records mixed of my favorites and a large stack or original 70’s pressing who my father passed down which I had no idea where hidden away all these years (I’m 34). 
I’ve fallen in love with Vinyl since and I’m at the point where I know there is so much more to be had to improve my listening experience. I’m very happy with my entry level audiophile system and am looking for some recommendations on where to go from here on my TT? 
My system for reference:
McIntosh MA5200 integrated
McIntosh MR-65B tuner
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon tt
Bluesound Node2 digital 
Sonus Faber Venere 3.0 speakers
Nordost Blue Heaven Power Cord/Speaker Cable/interconnects
Do I upgrade to the acrylic platter and move up the 2m chain Blue or Bronze (would be $4-600 for cartridge/platter alone)? 
Do I just sell my Debut Carbon, save the $ on the cartridge/platter and upgrade my turntable? 
I would like to here suggestions and ideas, let’s go with a budget of $1,500 for conversation. I really prefer going the pre-owned route as I’ve been able to find some really great deals on here over the years on almost all of my equipment. 
128x128aasteven111
Its true, a turntable rewards tweaks like you can't believe. Your Project table is plenty good enough for you to know you love vinyl. Which is really something considering its a very entry level table. Getting more involved with setup and adjustments like effischer suggested will pay big dividends now and even bigger ones later on when you do buy your next table because you will know so much more what matters from actual experience.  

The truth is what you already have is more than good enough so that all your most cost-effective upgrades right now will be tweaks, accessories, and adjustments. I'm not just talking about the turntable either by the way. I mean all of what you have. But that is only considering sound quality and sound quality alone. Because a lot of the most effective improvements are invisible. But how things look matters too, and more to some than others. So really it turns out that as important as it is to know the components its equally important to know yourself. 


Hi I have project debut and upgraded the platter to acrylic and the cart to blue Orto. Small improvement with platter, big improvement with the cart. Also using the Mc MA5200. But I would have to say that it is only a matter of time before the disease flares and I upgrade the tt. Probably to something in the 3-4K range, used.  Just doing the research and looking around for the right piece. So it has been a worthwhile investment for a couple of years but since life is short I would recommend going as big as you can as early as you can. Enjoy!
@aasteven111  - I have a similar TT to you. Mine is the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB. It is based on the same TT as yours, has the same arm and cartridge. Only difference is mine came from the factory with the acrylic platter and it has a speedbox electronic speed control.

I enjoyed it for a while then did a couple of upgrades. I replaced the Red Stylus with the Blue Stylus and I upgraded the phono cable to an Audio Sensibility Impact SE. Those two upgrades did make a pretty significant improvement to the SQ. I also did a complete alignment/setup to insure the setup was optimal.

Although I enjoy my table very much (and every day!) I don't think I would invest any money into a Debut if I were looking for improvements. The platter, stylus and phono cable would cost you another $400+. I think I would sell the Debut for whatever is the going rate and look at investing the (up to) $1500 into a higher end TT.

My TT is a good sounding table, very musical and enjoyable, but a bit noisy. I was considering the upgrade to an Ortofon 2M Bronze, but I think I'll do that upgrade on a different table. One that has the ability to pull out more performance from the complete setup.
The pro-ject classic evo with the quintet red moving coil would be a nice upgrade. Although the north American model comes with a sumiko amethyst moving magnet...found out the hard way and returned it. It was falsely advertised as coming with the ortofon. Still a nice table. I ended up just sticking with my good old pro-ject classic sb with my hana el. Also have a quintet blue in the wings to try. I did upgrade the sub platter to the aluminum evo subplatter and added a hide in the sound mat in dark purple to compliment the hana in moss green. This up against the eucalyptus plinth looks lovely.
I was in the same situation, I have a vintage Dennon TT and was considering a new TT. After doing much research, I found the most reasonable solution was a better cartridge. I changed my Grado Red 2 to the Ortofon MM Bronze and it has probably been the best upgrade so far.