Do I buy an upscale TT?

@sokogear The ideal, is for the TT to not have a sound, equally attractive is for the TT to have a non-eccentric rotation, with the non-eccentric rotation being available a extremely accurate speed control will be a much desired addition.

It is extremely difficult to have a TT that does not produce something as a result of the TT's function that is not a detriment, that does not impart mechanical noise, oscillation or Wow into a replay, either of which are measurable and in frequent cases audible to the end user.

There are ways to reduce these detrimental influences, but these cost money if being resolved from a commercial front and can be met with commissioning a skilled individual with a familiarity with a design, to take the work required on. The average individual can learn to service a mechanical part, but to get to a place of noticeable betterment machining of parts can be required.    

@coltrane1 nice setup. As to smoking a 301/401 well probably not. I've hear both in a few setups but YMMV :)

Btw hello fellow Washingtonian...

@solypsa, Greetings! I live in Lake Stevens, a quiet country community of about 15,000 people, 45 minutes north of Seattle. Life is very good! Retired and loving every day I wake up! :)

Miglik, as mentioned before, but you owe it to yourself to hook your turntable up to your friend’s obvious audiophile system and compare the sound. You may be surprised how good your Garrard is.

This could make you rethink what may be a better upgrade.

Do you have the same phono stage that your friend has?  If not, then start there.

Happy Listening.