Low volume on turntable??

Nice work, that tape out saved the day!  (Thanks Mensch for that!) I'm all for using the Sony now that it's proven it's worth... I agree with you, it's probably no worse than a cheap phonostage.

As for the intracasies of vinyl setup, I am inexperienced.  I got lazy and when I bought a new cartridge I asked the dealer to mount it for me.  Oh the shame and embarrassment!  However, I have taken the first steps toward redemption, and I bought Michael Fremmer's famous DVD on turntable setup, link below.  I would think this video would get you fully up to speed on proper setup of the arm and cartridge.  I have been toying with the idea of buying a cheap used cartridge and practice setting it up, but haven't gotten around to it just yet.

Nice job on getting the Sony to pull its weight!.  Check out Herbie's Audio Lab, they make some cheap isolation materials.  The grungebuster dots can be good under your table.  Also check out the cable co.  They have a sister site that sells used cables.  Most are pretty high end, and the prices get quickly insane, but they have some entry level items from the good cable producers that may be found at a steal.

I don't know what musical taste you have, but here are a few of my favorite recordings that are excellent on Vinly:
Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms
Steely Dan - Aja
Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
Dead Can Dance - In to The Labyrinth 
John Lee Hooker - Chill Out
Willy Nelson - Red Headed Stranger 



http://www.musicdirect.com/p-5836-michael-fremers-turntable-setup-dvd.aspx

Thanks all for the valuable input.

i fixed the distortion problem too thank goodness. All I had to do was remove the platter, put a single drop of 3-1 oil on the center shaft, and then I slid the magnetic tape head closer to the outer permiter by about 1 mm, so the gap between the platter and the magnetic head is separated enough for a piece of paper to slide through (about half of the original gap).

Works perfectly now, zero artifacts/distortion/background even with 100% gain on the McIntosh. Perfectly silent with my ear against the speaker. Never heard Adele sound this clear!

I'm considering getting the AT100E and returning the new AT95 cartridge I just installed. 

Yall think it would make a significant difference on a turntable of this quality? It's $73 vs the $38 I spent on the AT95. I live on student loans, so I'm on a budget.

any thoughts as always would be most appreciated, thanks!

"They" say the two most important components are the source and the speakers. In this case, your cartridge is your source. Before you upgrade your cartridge, which I would definitely recommend, I would look beyond the audio tecnica line, and see if you can snag a bargain on a higher end cartridge. A quick look on audiogon, and I found this one: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/cartridges-sumiko-blue-point-special-evo-iii-hi-high-output-mc-exc...
which is a well known cartridge that is favoribly reviewed.  At $550 retail, if you can pick this up for 200-250, that is a heck of an upgrade.  Bonus, this is an MC design which is generally superior to MM, but this particular unit is a high output MC, which I think will be fine with your Sony phono rig.  Perhaps do some research on the best cartridge in the $300-$600 range, and then hunt for a steal on a used one for $125-$250.  I think this may be a better plan.  What do you think?

ps I had a Dynavector 10x5 which I thought was great.  That could be on your short list.  I sold mine for $200.

I think that's great advice, but unfortunately I'm stretching it big time if I were to spend $100....my wife would end me if she knew I spent the $38 haha. I will keep that particular cartridge in mind though when I can afford something a little nicer.

with that said, what would you have in mind with my budget under $90-ish?