Suggestions for TT upgrade


Hello all,

a few years ago I bought a Project Carbon TT budget table with good reviews. Bought a cheap Emotiva phono pre to pair with it. I never really got into it and it’s been sitting for a year. I’m thinking about giving it another go. Couple questions:

Is the Project good enough to spend money on a better cartridge? If so any recommendations for reasonable ones? Thinking couple hundred new or used. 
Reasonably priced phono preamp better than the Emotiva? Tube or ss under let’s say $500. 

mofojo
A Hana EL mc cartridge + a SUT would be a big improvement! Much more details and dynamics from your LPs! 
just use it and enjoy them slowly upgrade... it's a journey you should enjoy as there is many knowledge  involved in playing turntable. it's cheap to make mistake now to prevent more expensive mistakes.
@jasonbourne,

Thanks for the suggestions and... 

I’m sure a dumb question but what is an SUT? 
I think I’ll try and hook it all up today assuming I can find everything. 
If your headshell allows, changing out the headshell leads (4) can make an audible improvement in a turntable system’s performance. A number of well respected manufacturers sell these sets. Cardas comes to mind. I believe most headshell sets are sub $50.