Phono preamp or cartridge - which to upgrae first

Went to a seminar at the RMAF. Roy Gregory on optimizing your cartridge Look for the video to come out on The Audio Beat..All things you can do without and devices or software. Very very cool. In addition he was using a VPI table and arm set up. I was surprised that he was using SoundSmith MM cartridge that he said sells for about 1K. I thought is sounded very good and fuller then a lot of MC cartridges that I heard.

Thank you for your ideas and proposals.

Upgrading a new phonostage/preamp with phono would make auditioning a bit easier, it seems. Auditioning cartridges is very difficult at best, and auditioning in my own system is probably next to impossible. There are so many variables...the Jubilee which one of you mentioned is considered in some reviews as unemotional and analytical, in other reviews as the opposite. Not sure it would be a substantial over the Karat which is no slouch itself. Other cartridge proposals which would be a good fit with the Triplanar would be very welcome (how about a Dynavector XV-1s or XX, a Transfiguration Orpheus or one of Van den Hul cartridges?), even if I should decide to get a new phonostage first.

Thank you for mentioning the Herron which seems interesting. Has anyone been able to compare it to competitors in its price range (such as Allnic H1500, K&K, Manley Chinook or Steelhead, Coincident, Odyssey Suspiro,Tron Seven). Budget is around 4-6 k, less if possible. Also, any specific ideas, apart from the Coincident)for a phonostage with volume control/preamp with built-in phono module) to avoid additional cost and system complexity). I listen to vinyl 95% of my time and only have one other source, so this seems a reasonable idea.

Last but not least, any idea what kind of improvement over the Modwright I can hope for?

I know your phono stage and cartridge well. The Modwright is an excellent unit which can easily accommodate a better cartridge. The Dyna XV1S is great. At lesser cost the Ortofon Windfeld which I own or the Cadenza Black are both excellent.

I own the Herron VTPH2 and I love it but IMHO you will get more from a cartridge upgrade.

If you are looking to upgrade your phono stage check out the Zesto Audio Andros. I liked it very much. Very much. To upgrade your cartridge the Transfiguration would be a great step up.

Thank you for your additional input. In the meantime I decided to follow Teeshot's advice - at least partly. I could get a good deal on a new Transfiguration Proteus and decided to order it. Recent reviews and reports on it are very promising and pricing was less than a Dynavector XV-1s (and to tell the truth I was a bit afraid of the Dynavector's long exposed stylus). It is the first time I use such a still quite expensive cartridge so I am very excitedly waiting for its delivery which hopefully will be in 3 weeks or so.

So I think the sensible thing to do is wait and see/hear how it will integrate into my system (even though I am still thinking on a new phono preamp particularly as there may be a possiblity for me to get a good used Coincident phono which is rarely offered). Regarding the Andros, I read some reports that it sounds a bit analytical. I would appreciate to hear more about this.