SEEKING ADVICE: Which component would you upgrade first?

@lukasread I’ll suggest a different route to consider, if not now then at some point, given you said you have a background in music engineering and an interest in vinyl. This route would have you listening to your music in other ways, rather than swapping kit-for-kit in hopes of sonic revelations for a few hundred bucks.

There’s a USD $250-300 device (down from $500 nearly a decade ago) that functions as a phono preamp, a DAC, and an ADC (Analogue-to-Digital Converter). RCA cables from your TT to the device, and the device via USB cable to your computer; and you can digitize all your records to enjoy on the go via earbuds, in the car, on your phone, etc.
KORG DS-DAC-10R

The DAC feature of the KORG will also allow you to connect a USB streamer that can be had for ~$100, or easily DIY’ed for slightly less. There are multiple free software options for this that will also play your personal digital/digitized music library, too (though as a music engineer I suspect you may already have these features via computer / additional unlisted kit).

If you want a way to clean your records and haven’t one already, there are cheap, solid solutions from AliExpress and the like:

Record Spindle Spinner (I would strongly recommend a stronger jet of water than pictured in the article!).

As some folks have mentioned, beware making lateral moves in the kit you already have - yours is solid stuff. For your budget, look for new inroads to using your music if you really are a musician, engineer, and listener more than a new-kit-chaser, being my bottom-line.

@benanders 

the spindle spinner site is down. For $175 I found it a very costly deal compared to actual "standalone" mess and sink-free and vacuuming record cleaner

Hello, You are good. I would build up the money. I like the idea of a steamer but would buy an older BlueSound node 2i for $250. Here is the problem. The services will be more money unless you have an Amazon Prime account or a Spotify account already. My fear about you going to the NAD c3050 is I don’t think you will like the phono stage as much as your Pioneer. The cartridge and headshell idea is great but I would save up for at least a Hans SL. They do go on sale but does not include a headshell. I really doubt you will listen to your old cartridge once you go to the Hana. Save your money for now so you do not go down the rabbit hole. I think the cartridge will be first as long as your Pioneer can play moving coil cartridges. If not it does come as. Hana SH which will play in a moving magnet input. I hope this helped. What you should be asking a couple of these posters is what cheap tweaks can I do. Magester is a genius at this. There are guys here who have systems that don’t cost a lot but sound amazing according to them. I will take their word since I’m pretty sure they have heard expensive systems. 

Separate phono stage, in the +$500 range if you can swing it.

Isn't tap water anathema?

Record Spindle Spinner