Turntable Upgrade Suggestions

My first question would be. What phono pre amp are you do you use? I also have a VPI Scout and I use a Lyra Dorian cart. This combo is not bad but not better then my CEC TL51x CD transport with a Wadia 12 DAC. I think I know the reason for this. I use the phono stage of my integrated amp. Now IMHO my turntable + cart combo could perform a lot better with a proper phono pre amp.

Now compared to most people here I have a very modest audio system not some mega $$$$ system and I do not have years and years of listening experience. But what I did learn a few years ago that the phono stage might be more importand then the turntable and cart.

Some time ago we had a shoot-out between a "cheap turntable +cart" with an expensive phono amp and a more balanced set. Total worth of both sets was about 5000€. The Thorens 160 special + decent cart and a very good phono amp was better then the set with the expensive turntable + cart and a cheaper phono amp.

@Mordante, Jasmine 2.0LP mkII

If you are willing to step out of the box check out the Transfi Salvation TT and Terminator arm. There are several good posts here on Agon and www.trans-fi.com. I moved from a Michell Gyro SE with fully modded RB300 to the Transfi and have been thrilled.

Mordante makes a good point--the phono preamp is vital. As is synergy between the arm and cartridge and proper cartridge alignment. I believe that a sound investment of time and money in getting these right is the proper starting point for good analogue sound and should be addressed prior to spending significant dollars on a table/arm upgrade.

I made a comparison between the classic 1 and classic 3 as soon as I upgraded,everything else was exactly the same,only turntable changed on this thread.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1263789072&openusid&zzCaptain_winters&4&5#Captain_winters

I didn't compare to the Scout,but if you read comparisons with the Classic 1 and the Scout,my comparison gets you to the Classic 3.