Put a Linn Ekos between my VPI hw19jr. and Glider?

On the eve of spending my Sony DVP-s9000es DVD/SACD/CD player to a modder (probably modwright or vsei - might have to flip a coin), I'm having cold feet about the SACD route and thinking that maybe I should return it to the dealer (last day for that), upgrade my Vpi-hw19 jr./Audioquest Pt-6/Glider/Lehman black analog rig instead.

I mean, as good as my Linn Ikemi is (which I purchased some years ago instead of buying a used Sondek LP12 rig which is what I had planned at the time but listened to the ikemi instead) in that it presents even average redbook in a largely appealing way (and is almost stunning with XRCD and HDCD), I can't help but look back on the days before I decided to leave my analog rig in storage at my girlfriend's ignore my records thereafter.

So I have two different sets of questions, but I'll eleaborate on the first only, and save elaborations and and qualifications pertaining to the second in an appropriately titles thread.

I might add first that my main musical interest in so far as high fidelity is concerned (i.e. why I made my way to audiogon) is that of classical chamber (especially string quartets, trios, clarinet quintets, etc), solo instruments (especially piano, classical guitar, and strings), and classic jazz and rock (these two latter not being as important to me, as I found my current vpi rig to be largely satisfactory for playing back, for example, Beatles, Stones, and Art Blackey).

First, will swapping an Ekos in for the Audioquest Pt-6 on my stock vpi-hw19jr. , and fitting it with my Benz Glide, r bring any immediately noticeable sound improvement while I wait to upgrade everything else? What about doing that but also upgrading the VPI one or two stages (i.e. 6lb platter and outboard motor+pulley, followed by a cartridge upgrade, followed by a better phono preamp, etc)? The real irksome thing about my rig is that back when i first got it, I looked forward to upgrading it in stages, but now I notice complete higher end rigs selling used for less than the MSRP of a new VPI upgrade package. Sure, I could buy a used rig and sell my own, but would seem to be a waste considering that I spent almost two grand on the Hw-19jr. /Audioquest/Glider package way back in the mid nineties.

Now on a completely different note, should I upgrade my 9000es (say with a Signature Truth Modwright job), or buy the Ekos now with the cash I have now, upgrade within a few weeks to a heavy platter and/or VPI SAMA motor/pulley, and then enjoy that setup with the Glider and Blackcube preamp for some months until I;ve sold my Ikemi I can afford to get an Aktiv cartridge and max out my vpi the rest of the way? At that point, will my Ekos investment be even 80-90%, given the mechanical capabilities and limitations of the VPI rig as it will then stand?

Some other variations on my question of which path I should take are:
Should I get some other arm for my vpi (both with and without turntable/cartridge upgrades), or ditch the VPI family, get an Ekos now and simply caress it every night for a few months until I've scored a good used Sondek LP12 for it to mount? If I go that route, how will my glider sound on an LP12 with Ekos?

Or last possibility (way off topic), should I return the 9000es, and get someother "original six" Sony DVD/SACD player and get that modded, this being financed in part my the sale of the ikemi and analog gear?

Thanks so much for any thoughtful feedback, and thanks especially to anyone who bothered to read all this, whether you replied or not.