Turntable Upgrade: What Sonic areas will improve?

Looking at what you have now, and what you are considering upgrading to, you should get better sound quality in every area. A nice option would be a VPI turntable and a DV 10x5. Its a high output MC, so it will work very well on your phono pre's MM setting. I'm not too familiar with the Traveler, but I do have a Scout. The Scout's very nice because is sounds excellent stock, but has tons of upgrades available. It may cost a little more now, but you'll save money overall.

Spend more, relatively speaking, on the cartridge than the table. Rega, VPI, Sota, Pro-Ject, they're all good. Pick one that has the features you like. On cartridges, I'm a big fan of Dynavector and Ortofon. I find they offer a superior value and really bring out the best of what vinyl has to offer.

Another way you could consider going is to simply mount a better arm and cartridge to the Pro-Ject you have. There are lots of good second-hand arms available here for fair money and you can then use what you save to get into moving coil - a very big step up from what you have.

You will also want to set aside some $$$ for a good set-up protractor (Pro-Ject happens to make a nice one that's also inexpensive), VTF scale and set-up test record. The best table in the world will sound like crap if the cart isn't aligned properly. It's a fussy, delicate and time-consuming job but oh-so worth it. Lots of forums here on the how-to end of things.

Good luck & happy listening.

You should check out a used VPI HW-19 for the warmer sound you are looking for. BTW: I see a nice HW-19 Jr.with an AudioQuest arm and a Grado Platinum cartridge on Ebay for $595. I don't think you would go wrong with that setup.

Wow I think this is the best response to any of my audiogon post. Thank You.

OK then if an upgrade will help improve the things I am most interested in seems like the right move. I really don't want to go the new arm for table route. Still to new to this to start drilling arm holes plus just don't want the hassel. I also may pay someone to install the cart.

Yes the VPI 19 looks exactly what I am looking for but the seller does not want to Ship. I Originally wanted this table but the used prices seem to be a lot higher now then a couple of years ago. That is why I was looking at the traveler. I like project but want either an upgrade path or better build quality or both like VPI provides. All the reasonable deals I see are local sale only.

Yes I love the exposure and listening to some other gear Audio Research, Rouge, and top of the line Maranz has taught me it will cost a small fortune to finding something that crushes my exposure IMO.

"I also may pay someone to install the cart."

Whatever upgrades you decide to go with, you need to set the TT up yourself. Its not that hard, and its just not the type of thing you would want someone else to do for you. Once you do it, you'll see what I'm talking about.