Does a record player make that much of a difference??

Someday, maybe, a VPI or a Dr Feickert... But I recently added an Orbit Theory to my third system to upgrade from a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC, and have fallen in love. At the price I paid, open box discount, it was a true steal...for a USA product. Quiet, tracks very well, cast magnesium arm, a clever anti-skate, solid wood plinth, 3 great adjustable feet, built in phono stage (which is conveniently by-passed) and an upgrade to Ortofon 2m Bronze (keeping the Blue for need). You can buy direct from Orbit. My only quibbles; the supplied phono leads and the plastic dust cover hinges which are obvious cost saving moves, very minor complaints.

I'm wondering if your phono pre-amp and turntable and arm aren't playing catch up with the new cartridge? I went the other way, improving TT, then arm, then in a position to invest in cart and pre. My second and third system are more "generic", but the main system has been upgraded a piece at at time for a very long time. The "better" the TT, it seems, the more intricate proper set up becomes, and the more critical the set-up becomes. At a certain level, and 2K plus TT's are getting close, the improvements are incremental, and require more attention. And the chance things go sideways increases (how I discovered the importance of tracking angle and MC carts). BTW an interchangeable head shell systems can be an error factory.. When I change a headshell/cart I still do full align (I align the cantilever)....just to be sure.    never assume. Just one of the reasons I have dedicated Mono and Stereo TT's.