What to upgrade to?

antinn,
Very thoughtout suggestions.  My AF Table has all the upgrades available for that Lenco model.  There are two other AF Lenco models which would be a really nice upgrade according to Chris at Artisan Fidelity.  So that's a option and certainly a more expensive cartridge is always available.  You are right on with the manufacturing costs in the last 10 years.  It wasn't that long ago when a $10k speaker was considered expensive but it seems like $30k is the new norm.  The Joseph line is one that I am familiar with and also like.  Thanks for your input.

What about your amp?

Speakers will change the sound more than anything.
Have you ever heard Sanders ?

Good luck!

I owned a pair of Innersound Eros 3 which was his company before he started Sanders.  They were outstanding speakers and I am sure his new one's are much better.

Bob — Just came through a similar dilemma (in my case, a few extra bucks to spend; nowhere near retirement; and pre-Covid by a few weeks).  Existing system was very strong, but I decided one can always have a better cart and phonostage, and — other than speakers — those two items can make a bigger difference than a TT, assuming your existing TT is high caliber already, and assuming you spend a good percentage of time listening to vinyl.  I went from a Kiseki Purple Heart to a Lyra Etna and from a Gryphon Sonett to a Audio Research REF 3 phonostage.  Blew my mind how much improvement that brought.  The ARC can be found used and they’re basically bulletproof other than the tubes.  I highly highly recommend this option.  (Also, I’ve skipped many of the responses above, so apologies for any repetition or missing something you may have clarified.)  

If to look everything looks solid.
Only one issue - you have only one tonearm. IMO another tonearm with higher eff mass is the way to go. So to upgrade you have to have second turntable or sell this one and get another one with 2 tonearms.