@dodgealum yes, definitely good points. I am slowly working through upgrading my entire system. Currently have a phonomena II+ but looking at a ModWright PH 9.0X as an upgrade (though I'm still debating a few options from the Gold note PH10, WhestTHREE, and the ModWright.
Definitely want to stick with MC carts - have used the Benz ACE in the past and now the Clearaudio Concept MC and they've both been considerably better than MM I've used in the past. I'd probably be looking at a Hana MC to pair with a new table - probably an M series ML to start, but depending on how my overall budget is looking, might go for an Umami Red, but that is considerably more expensive.