Turntable - The Next Step

I think you’ll have a hard time bettering the Musical Surroundings Phonomena II at $800. I've heard that phono pre in a few different systems with very good cartridges, and it's quite good compared to anything near it's price point.

If it were me, I’d add that $800 mostly to the turntable and some to the cartridge. If you do around $2600 on the turntable and around $600 on the cartridge (or however you want to split it), it would open up many more possibilities to improve your system.

Lots of options and I agree with vinylzone.  I think you may get better bang for the buck by allocating more to the table and catridge.  

Your cartrigde is a good one - I'd even consider putting it all into the table versus peanut butter spreading it.  I think a Rega P8 using your  the Elys cart and phone stage would be a huge upgrade sonically

@gnoworyta - having gone through a complete rebuild of my 1981 Rega Planar II Turntable - total cost over $2000 - I would recommend switching to a Music Hall MMF 7.3

It has the following great features

• music hall’s unique dual-plinth construction
• one-piece full carbon fiber tonearm
• fully adjustable VTA, azimuth, and dampened arm lift mechanism
• counterweight’s center of gravity is level with the stylus tip, is decoupled from the arm, and acts as a resonance damper
• completely isolated/decoupled DC motor with 33 and 45 rpm speed controls located in the front left corner of the turntable, thus canceling any potential vibration from the motor/belt to the cartridge
• motor sits on its own resonance-damping puck
• optional Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge with a nude fine line stylus ($440 value)
• the supplied cartridge is properly aligned and mounted
• precision stainless steel main bearing sheathed in Teflon® for noise-free, fluid operation
• non-resonant acrylic platter with metal screw-on record clamp and soft felt mat
• high-quality gold RCA connectors and detachable phono cable
• adjustable tip-toe feet with anti scratch cups
• low-noise, fully-manual belt drive design
• built-in round spirit level for proper leveling
• dust cover and 45rpm adaptor included
• excellent instruction manual and easy assembly

If oyu find the Ortofon is lacking - you can then sell off the Rega and get a really good cartridge - like one of the Soundsmith cartridges

For a Phono Stage - take a look at the Simaudio range

• even the entry level 110LP V2 phono stage is excellent value and performance
• they are very quiet and can handle MM and MC

I had the Elys 2 and changed to a Denon DL103 MC cartridge, which i found to be superior

• but have since changed to a Soundsmith modified Denon 103 - and never looked back.

Hope that helps - Steve

Although the Phenomena phono is good, if it were me:

Hagermann Trumpet

Technics SL1200GR

Audio Technica VM760SLC ( or similar MM )

That combo is under $3500 all in. I know these are not new ideas, there is a reason they are mentioned over and over...for another few hundred add a cheap mono cart and another headshell :)

First, you need to decide if you will stick to MM or change to MC in the future.

I would first upgrade the cartridge. If Phonomena II supports MC, I would try something like Denon DL103r. I think you will feel the difference immediately. 

Then, you can think about upgrading the phono stage to something like Allnic H1202 or Herron VTPH-2A. 

I use Denon DL103r and Allnic H1202 and it sounds pretty good.

I also use Ortofon MC20 super, SoundTradition's Live! MC-10 SUT, and Magi Phonomenal MM which sound better than Denon and Allnic.