Next step in Turntable

Read about Herron here. This phono stage is dicontinued! No more phono stages from Herron. Probably you are not set for life @paulgardner

I went to the Herron VTPH-2A from that same phono preamp you currently have. The Herron is $2500 and it’s worth far more given its performance. You DO NO need to spend $5k on a phone stage. Go hunt down a Herron and be set for life. We’re in the same boat regarding turntable. I need to upgrade mine too. 

If 10K is reasonable, try a Rega P10 or a Linn LP12 Akurate with a suitable phono stage.  I'd set the floor at something like the Rega Aria Mk3.

But I'd still say just buy and enjoy more records . . . 

I got a vintage luxman dd-289 high performance turntable with a Mali phone stage with ortophon blue.  I get great detail with a sweet sound. You can get top of the line vintage Turntable for less then 1k in excellent condition you already have the Hanna your almost there.

like crack, it probably won’t end at …$15 k….

nor will the LP collection…

the Bardo BTW is a direct drive….

"$10k seems very reasonable"

If that's the case, then you're also dropping minimum $3-5K on a phono stage at some point to make that 10$K investment sound the way it's intended. Existing phono stage needs to step up with the new table.

Big picture is you're dropping 15 large when all said and done.

Just another perspective here. $10K can also buy a better phonostage $3-5K and a Rega P10 -arguably enough audiophool performance to satisfy plenty of owners who have 'been there, done that"  with nice setups. You may even be able to find a deal with the Apheta cartridge.

P10 or a Technics can be a significant upgrade for the dough. A used VPI might be realistic also, but you need to know exactly what you're getting for the money.

All those tables suggested can be end game but, you still have your existing phonostage.

Chakster;

sota ? As in SOTA turntables ?

I hear their name a lot, They are in Delavan wi , about 30 miles from me , Milwaukee

It was a joke, because you asked Mijostyn about turntable, for him it’s SOTA and almost any audiogonner aware of it :))

Actually you could try if they are near.

I prefer direct drive turntables, the ultimate today is SP-10R drive from Technics, Japan. Tonearm and custom plinth of your choice. Probably it’s over your budget.

A SOTA with Origin Live Conqueror (or thereabouts) https://www.originlive.com/hi-fi/tonearm/#premiumrange will certainly deliver otherworldly level performance. Then later on when you are ready for a new cart, Soundsmith SG1 and you are set. 

Yes, that SOTA still around and kicking since the 80’s. Donna runs it now and carries many arms and can get many others. She carries Origin and that is a fine arm that provides superb value. That close to home you should reach out !

Chackster;

sota ?      As in SOTA turntables ?

I hear their name a lot,  They are in Delavan wi , about 30 miles from me , Milwaukee 

Do they suggest a tonearm? And accessories Or Is that left to us ? 
If, So , I guess a road trip is in order 

jeff 

full disclosure i have both a Bardo and a SOTA, and…..and….

ha, there are many excellent tables and arms….

and yes for sure a new SOTA w Origin Live arm and your Hana…

a used Brinkmann Bardo w his excellent arm and your current Hana is within reach net of your table in trade….

one idea….there are many choices…..

Haha, you don’t know yet? Sota! LoL 

Mijostyn

so, I’ve listened to my entry level and I’ve listened to, a couple top of the line setups 
Lyra, airtight, etc

What would you recommend as that “ next step”

$10k seems very reasonable 

jeff

Jeff, if you want a definitive improvement it is a big jump. For a final purchase turntable and tonearm with a decent cartridge thrown in you are talking $10K. Until you are ready to spend that kind of money, spend it once and spend it right I think you should build your record collection as naimfan mentioned. In the mean while you can also listen, learn and window shop. 

Your biggest decision will be to stick with all in one packages, like VPI where your table and arm come together, or to step up to viewing the table and the arm as separate components. This second way involves a fair bit more work, but it really pays off. The other way is easier but you learn a lot less, and believe it or not spend more money to get not as good sound.  

The reason for this is most people can afford only so much at a time. Say you can budget $5k for a component. If you upgrade the whole thing you will indeed get a big improvement. But if you put that $5k into just an arm, wow will you ever get a great arm! Last you a long, long time! Maybe forever. (Mine is 16 years.) Or if you put that into a turntable, same thing.  

Also the people who make separate turntables and arms, they know these are being compared directly and so put a lot more into them. The people making packages, virtually no one ever removes the arm to see how they sound all by themselves. They know as long as the package is better than the one down their line they are good.  

Still, it is a learning curve. That is why I say this is your biggest decision.

Get rid of the Pro-Ject Classic and find a better turntable (with better tonearm) for your Hana cartridge. 

The thoughts of others are only pointers,
Experiencing the Options that are available will be the best way to find your preferences.
If you have a selection of go to Vinyl Tracks that you are quite familiar with.
Take these along to auditions/demonstrations, it wont be long before your preferred choices start to surface.
COVID prevented interactions with other like minded enthusiasts,
not any more though, there are welcoming receptions and gratitiude a plenty for making the time to interact. 

Next step is a bit of a large one imho. Double on everything? Maybe more... If it were me I would start with the turntable/arm if doing things in pieces.

Nothing.  Buy more records and enjoy them.  

Everyone's "do this" list is different and "right"

This should an interesting read.