For anyone interested, I purchased the Shure M97xe. For $75 it seemed a reasonable experiment and so far I'm pleased. Smoother sound than the Elektra; perhaps a bit more bass and most noticeably, surface noise is less pronounced. I wasn't expecting that but a pleasant surprise that wife noticed before I did. I think a new phono stage or sub-platter will be the next step.
Thanks again to all for the advice.
Jim
Thanks again to all for the advice.
Jim