Aftermarket Upgrade Question

@holmz 

Honestly, sound advice (no pun intended). While I have taken care of the first three, the tracking force and alignment points I need to address...thank you!

@lowrider57 

I am hardwired (AudioQuest Goldengate) into my Denon PMA-600NE, which has a dedicated analog phono channel. I use the Denon pre-amp, not the Akai one.

I have put in a Sumiko Olympia cartridge, which I like better than the AT one that came standard.

@knotscott 

I few ideas I didn't think of in there...thank you.

Namely the isolation platform and tonearm suggestions. Again, I'm not trying to make my Akai a Rega P9, but just tinkering with the available "upgrades" on my otherwise sentimental TT.

@chayro 

I will look into it. And I agree...I'm not hoping to turn my Chevy into a Rolls Royce, but sticking with the automobile analogy, Chevy and Cadillac share platforms, powerplants, etc. sometimes. But there are certain components within them that distinguish the performance. That's the angle I am coming from...and keeping it into perspective.

Thanks again, all. Some good ideas I should consider!

Aside from cartridge upgrade, I would tend to agree with others about isolation.  

I would just listen to it.

You will either like it and maybe upgrade in a few years, like it just how it is, or chuck it or sell it.

So I would not even modify anything. Just brush the LPs, and spin em up.