critique my setup -- weak link? best way to improve?

@squared80 I would like to strongly advise you to go to the nearest Federal office and say the codeword "cableista" - they will immediately admit you into the witness protection program.

speakers. Just a reasonable upgrade (500-1000 used) will get you a big improvement, Take advantage of the cructhfield or safesoundhq trials.

you could also add a sub. I think the big question, are you a "set and forget" type or a fiddler. If you are the former, you can get powered active speakers and sell the Rotel and also upgrade your cartridge. Pro-ject tonearms are good but you can improve the needle. And yes, lastly, a phono stage

atc scm 40s are remarkable and at 7k a pair not expensive

are you high? 7K is not expensive? Have you read what he has? His entire system doesn’t add up to 2K, how is it a sensible suggestion to make for seven grand? Are you listing whatever you have in stock randomly or actually caring about OP’s question?

I think cables are the least of his problem

@tkrtrb125 I think it's a disservice to their own business but they must know better how to sell and succeed

If the speakers *must* stay on the credenza

I pretty much ignored this part. If you want good sound don't let the furniture determine it, proper stands and placement are literally the easiest and cheapest tweaks of the system and the best bang for the buck. 

If you are forced and willing to compromise with the placement, you are probably not crazy about achieving the best sound. And nothing wrong with that....

@vthokie83 A lot of posts are like this, written by a ghost. We are fools :)

Seems most want to flaunt personal experiences rather than address the OP's question

when is not the case? Not only that, people sometimes just post links to what they are selling. Still, if you post a focused question, you will get a lot of useful advice