If you’re not happy with the speakers then chasing upstream solutions seems like a band-aid fix. Might just have to bite the bullet, sell, and retry there.
As far as SUT’s go, the Bob’s Devices Sky series has a pretty meaty, powerful and warm sound. Definitely on the opposite side of spectrum from the Lundahl LL 1931, which has a crystalline, detailed and slightly bright sound by comparison.
Even with a Herron VTPH-2A or VAC Renaissance SE phono stage, using the Sky SUT for MC stage will make the sound warmer, more dynamic, and hit harder.