Hmmm. I get much better than AM radio-quality sound from my $300 MMF-2.1 with it's sub $100 Elan cart. i'm running a HagTech DIY Bugle phono. So something is wrong if you spent $900 and got that sound. Two tweaks I did but it didn't affect the problem you are solving was a Michell record clamp and some $20 cones from Parts Express, to default the stock suspension, spike to my rack, which is spiked to my basement floor. The effect of the clamp is minor in my setup to me, but the cones were a major leap forward.
I'm a relative newbie, but it should like a mismatch problem somewhere (problems with cart VTA or VTF or even alignment issues). I think you are having special problems. No circa.$900 set up should sound like that.
I'm a relative newbie, but it should like a mismatch problem somewhere (problems with cart VTA or VTF or even alignment issues). I think you are having special problems. No circa.$900 set up should sound like that.