Money well spent

Oleschool, it depends on what you want to accomplish. You will get better sound either way. But I think you want to upgrade the table, I would almost certainly do the same given the choice.

Nothing in an audio system will have as big an impact on the sound as the two transducers in the chain - the cartridge on the front end and the speakers at the back end.

So if your looking for the biggest sonic improvement right now, go with the cartridge.  A new TT would only be marginal.

I have the same table. I would make sure I had the  BEST phonostage I could afford and go up a level with the LOMC.

The Classic is worthy of a more upscale cart than the Benz Ace.

I have used a Benz Glider, Sumiko Blackbird and Audio Technica OC9III/ART 9. To my ears, in my system, the ART9 is a winner.

The ART9 has remained on my table for over a year.
If you get maximum resale and only have to cough up the difference for the Prime, it may be a good move. 
I still would seriously consider phono stage/LOMC.


 

i have a musical fidelity mxvynl it can run any mc .my ace is a low output.red... ls . I would not consider selling my classic unless the price was right.Its the front mount motor and i truly like it ,its on 2"audiopoints and sounds great I do believe the cart is the next step of course if i stay put. The prime is at the top of the list with the trans fi if i go that route. the upgrade would be a g min. plus a cart so it will compound from there. 
I would be interested in the 2-3 k range for a  cart if i stay put with my classic .. thanks everyone for the imput 

inna,
This trans fi from vic just intrigues me . Guys just rave over that arm and the people using it are spinning on some serious tt. getting back to the upgrade i just am at the point were i feel i need to upgrade my cart, and think is this my best plan yannow..