Turntable - The Next Step

@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.

I will probably stick with a MM cartridge. No experience with MC. Thanks for all the responses thus far.

I believe your next step is a VPI Scout or ScoutMaster. The original Scout got rave reviews. The Scoutmaster was its big brother and even better. I had one before I got my Teres and was well pleased. But the cocobolo just begged me to come get it.. The Prime Signature seems to have taken its place with updates. I'd probably take the whole budget and move to this TT

VPI Prime Signature Turntable

I've had 2 or 3 VPI TT's. Their customer service is very good as are their products. They usually have a good upgrade path if you want to upgrade. You won't need much if any with this one. But keep it in mind if you decide on another VPI,. FWIW I have no affiliation with the seller. Its a little above your budget but you may get it for that if you make an offer.

I also had an MMF 7 TT. when they came out. It was good for the price. But the VPI was a big upgrade from it. Good luck to you