Should I try a MC cartridge and phono pre?

Before I went the MC route, I would first buy a newer turntable (probably a belt drive), with a better tonearm. I owned the SL-1300 about 35 years ago when it came out. It's not a bad tt for your average MM cartridge, but I wouldn't put an expensive cartridge on it and then have to buy a MC phono stage. I don't think you'd realize the performance potential of MC that way. I vote: sell it on ebay and start fresh!

I'm not an analog guru by any stretch, but when I phoned Music Hall to inquire about the appropriateness of mounting a Sumiko BPS (MC) cart to a Music Hall MMF 2.1, I was told that it would not be a good idea because the bearings in the tonearm aren't made to high enough tolerance to bring out the best performance from a MC cartridge. The MMF 2.1 is a current entry-level audiophile belt-drive turntable, and while it's an unrelated comparison to what you're asking, it does speak to the suggestion of using a better MM cartridge on your table, or scrapping the lot and heading for higher ground.

As an aside, I've since redone my analog system and went to a better 'table (Michell Gyro SE), but I chose to stay with a MM cart (Shure V15 IV) just because I can replace the stylus - a re-tip job is too likely with the fumbling hands around my household (mine included!)