Should I upgrade my phono linestage first or the tonearm for better results?

I can’t offer any knowledgeable comments about your tonearm, but I don’t doubt that Folkfreak has provided you with some good thoughts. Regarding the phono stage, though, my strong suspicion is that it is not doing justice to your fine cartridge.

A major reason I say that is what I would consider to be the AcousTech’s absurdly high 10,000 pf input capacitance in moving coil mode, together with its fixed 100 ohm load resistance (which I suspect is necessitated by the very high input capacitance). For further explanation see the post by Lyra cartridge designer Jonathan Carr (JCarr at Audiogon) dated 8-14-2010 in this thread. And keep in mind that he is referring to capacitances as low as tens of pf, not ten thousand.

My suspicion, btw, is that the reason such a high input capacitance value was used is that it is serving as an inexpensive way of avoiding what would otherwise be issues in the design.

You may want to consider the Herron VTPH-2, at $3650 new. If you research past threads here and elsewhere, you’ll find nearly unanimous glowing praise from all who own it or have heard it (including me), as well as for Keith Herron as a wonderful person to deal with. Some other owners have reported finding it to be competitive with $10K phono stages. It has only unbalanced inputs and outputs, but I don’t see that as being an issue with your BAT preamp.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

The main advantage from the Graham Arm is its own cartridge adjuster. The user can align a cartridge spot on and I think, that is one reason why Graham Arms sound better than others.
A new, expensive  Arm with wrong calibration is useless.

+1 on the Graham arms, they are exceedingly easy to set up with the "in arm" included protractor and the "underside up" cartridge installation jig.

Good Listening


Peter

I had the Acoustech PH1-P with the Virtuoso 2 cartridge. The PH1-P is a nice sounding phono stage, better than others that I tried in the sub $1k price range, but it can be improved upon. 

In changing from the PH1-P to a better phono stage in the $2k-$3.5k range (I tried several in this price range), I experienced more of a holographic, natural sounding soundstage. Vocals were much improved. Clicks and pops were reduced. Dynamics were better.

Going from the Virtuoso 2 to a Benz Silver Reference MC cartidge brought a very noticeable improvement in background noise, and a more natural, relaxed, 3D, feeling presentation.

I now own an Allnic H-3000 phono stage, which is more than you want to spend. I bring this up because I can use an inexpensive Technics SL-5300 turntable with its built in arm, with an inexpensive Denon MC cartridge, and get great sound out of this combination. This demonstrates to me that a very good phono stage is worth the investment, and has had the most impact in my analog set up. 

Your tonearm by most accounts is very good. I would upgrade the phono stage and cartridge first.