@lousyreeds1 To be expected these days, your post has ushered forth a few digital vs. analog trolls and a few comics. What do you think sounds better, "analog done right or digital done right", is like asking "does a hotdog with only mustard on it taste better than a hotdog with only ketchup on it". There are so many factors and variables involved in your question that those who've already stated there is no easy or quick & dirty answer to your query are correct.
Maybe I missed it in this thread, but I am convinced that in order to get records to sound "better" than digital you need to, first and foremost, start with clean records and, of course, the quality of the pressings, sound engineering, mastering and all of that matters, as well, just as this does with digital recordings but more so with records. Even brand-new records need to be cleaned, preferably before played for the first time. So, this is where that analog ritual should start. Then, there is a bunch of stuff I am going to assume you are already aware of (e.g. storing records properly using good quality anti-static inner sleeves; outer sleeves if you want to preserve the artwork; using a good quality anti-static record brush before and after every play or, as some prefer, some sort of air blowing device to get as much airborne dust off the records as possible; cleaning your stylus before & after every play; etc.).
IMHO, ultrasonic cleaning is the best way to go, and this is not going to be inexpensive. Many audiophiles love the Degritter machine, which does a good job and is about as easy and convenient as this gets. I've A/B tested it against the lash-up record cleaning system that I put together at about half the cost, using components from CleanerVinyl Ultrasonic Record Cleaning, an ultrasonic cleaner and a Knosti Disco-Antistat, which is similar to a Spin-Clean but uses goat hair brushes instead of microfiber cleaning pads. The lash-up system I use achieves results as good as the Degritter. However, the Degritter is infinitely easier & more convenient to use and less labor intensive or time consuming. About the size of a toaster, it also occupies less space than all of my equipment. This is why I am still considering purchasing the Degritter at some point. After investing in a record cleaning system, upgrading to a better TT, cart and pre-amp will, IMHO, definitely get you closer to that Holy Grail. If you want to do this without spending mucho dinero, then consider the Spin-Clean (if it comes with good quality brushes now) or the Knosti Disco Anti-Stat. Incidentally, the Knosti folks have come out with an ultrasonic cleaning system of their own at around half the price of the Degritter. I've never used it and have not read any reviews of it, yet, but this would be yet another option if their machine lives up to the advertising.
