Not being in the market for a budget phono stage I have no opinion on what to get. But being a very long term user I know it can sometimes seem like its old gear when really its just old connections. I would at a minimum disconnect everything in the front end, clean with a clean cotton cloth and alcohol, and see what that does. Interconnect ends, RCA on the amp, power cords first. Then cartridge pins if its been years. Or at least pull on the clips with some tweezers to confirm they still fit nice and tight.
Hopefully you come back saying "Every contact in my whole system is cleaned every year Miller, that's not it." But if not then it was worth doing anyway as it will benefit your whole system.
Hopefully you come back saying "Every contact in my whole system is cleaned every year Miller, that's not it." But if not then it was worth doing anyway as it will benefit your whole system.
