recommendation for a high end analog system


I never had an analog system until last month. I bought a 1989 SOTA TT with vacuum/Sumiko MMT arm/Dennon 103R retyped with elliptical/sapphire cantilever. My phono is Kitsune MK5 WBT that is amplified by Don Sach 2 tube preamp and Pass X350.5. My speaker are Sound Lab M545 ESL. The TT has been very   well maintained despite its age. It sounded very good until I heard my friend's system which has the same TT but with Lyra Skala cartridge and first generation Triplanar arm (Spectral pre/amp). His sounded noticeably clearer and fuller. What is the best way to get a noticeable improvement in my system without breaking the bank (or before I have to squint to hear the improvement). I would love to hear some wisdom from analog-philes.
128x128chungjh
Origin Live Illustrious II or higher would give you the more live sound with plenty of detail. After owning several different arms, I was able to find a used OLI II for under $900. It is a simple to setup arm and I’ve owned a couple different OL Silver II arms with good TT’s, along with a couple even better sounding arms than the Silver II. I used to have a Maplenoll Ariadne TT/arm which was excellent sounding. The Illustrious is a very good sounding arm that is a significant upgrade in all ways from what I had before. This new combo is the first one to dethrone the Maplenoll in SQ--much more dynamic and better clarity. I own a highly modified Lenco TT with much of Jean Nantais’ upgrades and mods. This is now a potent combination of superior dynamics, deep bass with definition, and beautiful, clear mids and highs--that is easy to use. I have a used Charisma Reference II cartridge that I bought for under $800 used slightly. I also have a Whest 3.0 RDT SE phono pre bought used for about $2350--dead quiet and very resolving without edge. I have a used TRL DUDE preamp which is absolutely awesome in all ways that I just got retuned with NOS tubes from Andy’s Vintage Tubes and the DUDE is now much livelier than it has ever been and the bass now has great texture--I bought it used and am the third owner. I now have a super DUDE with a couple mods I performed on it a couple years ago and the NOS tubes--much better sounding than the original.

Bob
I just recently upgraded my vinyl setup with a Technics SL-1200G with a Clearaudio Charisma MM cart, going into a Herron Audio VTPH2a phono stage and a Herron Audio VTSP-360 line stage; never knew vinyl could sound like that before!!! 
As you see, for almost the price on the old used SME V you can get a 1200G.
However, if you want to go all in with the SOTA, get the SME V and have SOTA rebuilt the TT. Mostly, you will then have a rig that may sound more grounded then the Technics but not necessarily better.
And there are several recommended upgrades that should be done on the 1200G that will add about $1000 to the price.
Mostly, with the SOTA and SME, you will have a much more substantial rig and may have the most pride of ownership.
@mglik 

A lot of people are raving about 1200G. How long have had it and how durable is it?