The Wand turntable

I guess I got too bossy there.  I will see if I can find the Aqvox doc that recommends "<20 ohms".  My guess is that the vague statement you quote was cooked up by them in order not to lose sales to audiophiles who prefer to use HOMC cartridges (which typically have a high internal impedance).  Like I also said, your cartridge obviously "works" into the current-drive XLRs, but I don't think it will bring out the best in the phono stage.

Please read the owners manual for the Aqvox.  There they do advise using a cartridge with an internal impedance less than 20 ohms.  ANY cartridge that fits that description will blow away what you are now using, not necessarily because the BP2 is inferior but because it is a bad match for the Aqvox or any current-driven phono stage.

austinstereo and OP, Just to be clear, I am not recommending a change of cartridge based in any way upon the cost of the cartridge vs the cost of a tonearm. My point was in answer to the OP’s question which is in general about his interest in upgrading his vinyl reproduction by replacing either his tonearm or his tonearm and turntable. My first thought was and is that the BP2 cartridge is really the weakest link in his present vinyl chain, and I recommended a new cartridge. The present tonearm seems entirely adequate, and the Thorens is nice. Those two components can be upgraded at any later time.

Now I know that you (bearthesurfer) are running your BP2 (internal resistance 135 ohms) into the balanced inputs of an Aqvox phono stage, which is a current-driven type, I feel even more strongly that you would benefit most by changing to a cartridge with a much lower internal resistance. If you are "married" to Sumiko, then I suggest you choose one of their LOMC cartridges with an internal resistance less than 20 ohms, if they make such a one. As it stands now, you are wasting gain and probably experiencing a treble roll-off which may or may not be audible; the BP2 would have a very hard time driving the Aqvox input, which inherently has a much lower impedance via its balanced inputs. It’s not more than 20 ohms but I don’t know the exact value. This can, and obviously does, work, but it is not a great idea. If you are willing to deviate from the Sumiko product line, then I suggest the Audio Technica ART9XA (0.2mV output) or the ART9XI (0.5mV output). Both have a 12-ohm internal resistance. Both cost about $1K. That is not cheap but it is probably less than one would spend on a new tonearm, let alone a new tt + tonearm. There are a myriad of other choices for a bit less money. Check out Hana, for example. Or a used AT ART7 or ART9.

In the here and now, you might experiment with connecting your present cartridge to the RCA inputs of the Aqvox, if that is possible, so the cartridge will see the 47K ohm load afforded by those inputs. I bet it would sound better. But the Aqvox’s raison d’etre is its balanced, current-drive design, so it is good to take advantage of that.

Aqvox is very very good, by all accounts.  What's more, isn't it one of the current-drive phono stages?  If so, it would probably perform closer to its max if you used a lower impedance cartridge to drive it. I just looked up the specs of the BP2; internal impedance is 135 ohms. I also just nowrefreshed my memory of the Aqvox.  Apparently you have the choice of using its RCA inputs to a standard 47K ohm load resistance. Perhaps that is what you are doing with the BP2, but it also offers balanced inputs with current drive (i.e., best suited to low internal impedance LOMC cartridges).  At some point, you ought to consider acquiring a suitable LOMC cartridge with an internal impedance of <20 ohms, so you can take full advantage of that phono stage.  Sorry, once again, if I sound overbearing. Just advice for future.  

I apologize for this comment, because it is beside the question you raised, but if you did purchase a turntable and tonearm or just a tonearm that was superior to what you already own, then in my opinion you would have to get a better cartridge in order to appreciate either upgrade. And I admit I have a bias when it comes to the Sumiko Bluepoint. I just don’t think it’s a great cartridge. For that reason, my impulse when I read your list of equipment that you currently own would be to suggest you investigate acquiring a better cartridge first of all. This is only my personal opinion, but I did own both the original Bluepoint and the #2 version Bluepoint cartridge, once upon a time. I suggest any good MM or  MI cartridge in lieu of a high output MC cartridge, just to begin with, assuming your phono stage is best suited to cartridges with medium to high output.