I Need Some Opinions...

For cartridges, MM ones such as Clearaudio Virtuoso (lightly used), Cartridge Man Music maker III (lightly used) would be near the top sound wise for around $500-550.  I'd second the Hana SL, or Denon 103R for LOMC if your phono preamp has enough gain.  If you're patient, you can land a very good MC for around $700 used.  I've been able to buy a couple $2700-3000 cartridges for under $750 lightly used.  I'd agree that your analog setup is not going to extract the best from such an expensive cartridge.  I personally loved the Virtuoso in my system and I had a good overall system.  I'd still be tempted to try one again and my system is now really good.

If you wanted to upgrade your phono pre, the Allnic H-1200 is out of production but still a good sounding phono pre.  Should be able to get used for about $750-850.  It would be a significant upgrade to what you have.  You already have a good integrated, but if you wanted an excellent sounding preamp WITH an even better phono section built in, the Audible Illusions 2C or 2D would be great.  I had a 2D that kept me happy for about 17 years until I upgraded to an Audible Illusions 3A w/ John Curl MC phono section.  Absolutely hard to beat or even equal in its price range.  The 2D is about $700-800 used and the 3A w/ MM phono is about $1000-1100 used.  These pieces last a long time and the sound is way better than the price.  The AI stuff is one of the all time best buys in stereo equipment.

Bob 

Bob, thanks for the reply.  I’ve gotten a lot of advice which I need to ponder.  I guess I need to determine what I truly want from my analog system.  Do I tweek what I have, change cartridges or start over from scratch and go big lol.  I have a lot to think about.  I appreciate all the input and am learning a lot.

dorkwad has it right about the Audible Illusions equipment. The only reason for parting with the Modulus 3A was the lack of a remote control. Great equipment at a great price.

I don't know your tonearm but if it's low mass you probably can't go better than a Grado MI. 

Instead of farting around with tweaks ( not saying you cannot do that later) get right to the chase, just replace blue point with the Hana EL. I had the blue point and replaced it with the EL and it was a world of difference. The Hana is $475. Go and read the review at positivefeedback....the guy replaced the bluepoint on the project classic sb with the hana and it was night and day. Hooked up to the musical surroundings phenomena 11+ and it’s a dream. Don’t get me wrong, that bluepoint is quite nice, but it is a high output moving coil. I’m still using my hana el and I’ve no need to upgrade to anything else. It produces a sublime sound to me, and well, others with far more trained ears agree, Herb Reichert for one! Yea, you can spend almost twice as much for the SL with shibata stylus, but prepare to be bogged down with trying to align it, and honestly will only provide a small improvement. All my own opinion 😁