Low volume on turntable??

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?

Shure M97xE around $70
Ortofon 2M Red around $100

These (2) IMHO, are better than the AT100E.  I have the AT95E on one of my tables and it's a great little performer.  Not sure if the AT100E is really a step up.