critique my setup -- weak link? best way to improve?

@squared80 I would like to strongly advise you to go to the nearest Federal office and say the codeword "cableista" - they will immediately admit you into the witness protection program.

Get some new cables and power cords.

@matthijs with an OM10 you won’t get much benefit changing to something like a 2M Red. There are OM upgrades but I’ve never tried beyond a 10. When you change next time (if you like ortofon) it might be worth going to a 2M base. You can fit any of them (blue, bronze, black) to the base for a 2M red / Pro-ject Pick-it. I have even used a 2M black LVB on a red base, though you lose some sensitivity. I would go to at least a Bronze and then consider a LVB 2M Black (or later model) as the bronze gives the upgraded cartridge base.

In the phono stage / preamp. if you want to do multiple steps then as @emergingsoul said the Schiit are very good value. If you wanted to put in a phono stage for a large proportion of your first years budget but one which you wouldn’t need to change until you’d considered spending $4k+ on a turntable+cartridge and have $6k+ on amp and speakers. Then I would strongly suggest a Whest two.2 if you bought used directly from Whest (£1,150 / $1,500) . Is that a lot to spend? Yes, but it can make an OM10 / 2M red sing and will mean you get everything out of any cartridge upgrade until the levels noted above and even then will beat $2500 and above stages. I suggest you look at the testimonials on the Whest site against comparably priced and higher stages. You will find write-ups on all levels of stages, but having test from the one noted right through 30s 40SE’s to Titan and MC Ref Series all of the high end trickles into the entry level models.

There is also a Whest two.2 dual mono on US Audio Mart at the moment for $1195, that is the next one up and (always noting the risks of SH) is a great stage for that money.

@squared80 -

"Don’t listen to people telling you to "upgrade" those cables. They don’t believe in science and quantifiable facts. You’re 12AWG is way more than enough as long as it’s simple OFC. No cable will ever sound better."

     Yet another example of willful ignorance, or- just your ignorance of the truth/facts/science, gleaned since the 1800’s, regarding electricity?

                                  Either way: a SNORT (of derision)!