New speakers for turntable ($500 range)

Thanks for your questions and suggestions.

The turntable has a built in preamp, and it’s in our dining room (12x12).  We generally don’t play it loud enough to rock out; just loud enough to hear in the dining room and adjoining living room.

The system’s ok for playing music like Loverboy.  But it stinks when playing something like Etta James or Dark Side of the Moon.   There are none of the subtleties I’d like to hear.  

I like 70s & 80s rock music (The Eagles, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, Rush, Foreigner).  But I also enjoy vocalists like Linda Rondstat, Joni Mitchell, and Eva Cassidy.

Will new speakers help or is the amp I chose the issue?

My turntable is an inexpensive, entry level Audio-Technica AT-LP60.  I originally bought it to listen to LPs I’ve been buying at the many concerts my spouse and I attend.  But the pandemic has ended concert-going for now, and being at home has given me a lot more time to focus on the system’s sound quality.

I’m open to upgrading on the power amp if you think that will make a noticeable difference.  The Denon PMA 600 looks intriguing and worth considering.  

Will the 16 gauge speaker wire be sufficient with the Wharfedale speakers your suggesting?

Also, how important is speaker placement?Although the turntable is in the dining room, I can play with the placement of the speakers. 

Clearly, I have a lot to learn, and as with anything I can see the domino effect of my buying decisions.  So, I appreciate your thoughts on what I should be considering as I make these next purchases.  For the near term, I’m budgeting about $600.  The Wharfedale / Denon combo sounds doable.  But is it even worth doing with the low budget turntable I currently have?  I’m not ready to do a complete system overhaul.

Thanks all for the great advice and recommendations.  Time for me to digest it all and make a decision.  I’ll post what I end up getting.