Turntable upgrade

I just purchased the P8 w/ Apheta 3 cart. into PS Audio $2500 phono pre. Unbelievable "you are there" sound and quiet as a mouse. Better sounding than my 25K digital setup....My record collection has come alive. I haven't had late night listening sessions like this in years. Thanks Rich @ Signature Sound in Liverpool NY. ps....I had the Parasound phono pre but sent it back. Not impressed.

I was somewhat in the same boat last year. Got the itch for a new TT.

I have a MoFi Ultra deck with the MoFi phono preamp.  I felt I could make the next major jump in many areas if I picked up a newer, more expensive TT. What I ended up doing was adding a Hana ML cartridge and a Parasound JC3 Jr. I am very pleased with the results. Everything is in such tight focus, more open and smooth sounding too. Now I feel I'd have to take out a loan to make any major improvement. I guess I'll have focus my upgrade(itis) elsewhere. 

When upgrading a turntable, you need to go up substantially to make an improvement. I started with a Rega P1 and thought I could go up to P6P8 and there was not a lot of difference between them. I wind up getting a clear audio performance DC with a AMG cartridge and a musical surroundings battery Operated Phono stage

+2 a better Phono-Pre will make a significant improvement.

I currently us a Zesto Andros 1.2.  It was one of the best upgrades that I have ever made.  Also, the 12AX7 JJ tubes last for thousands of hours, are inexpensive and available from all of the typical web-stores.

Good luck!

Here is my .02 cents as firm believer in source 1st, I would trade the p6 with Ania and do what I can to get the P8....if that’s a stretch get it with their carbon cart, ( I have that combo)keep the fono mc as you won’t get much for it.

enjoy that combo for awhile, get to know it, then if you want to upgrade, then try a better cart like the Ania Pro or something else, listen to that thru your fono mc and see what you hear....its better, about the same or worse....my guess better.

THEN after that I would look at better phono stages.

Turntable/arm....then cart...then phono stage.....gives best bang for buck, you can’t amplify what you don’t get from your front end....source 1st.

My Rega with el cheapo cart kicks some ass especially for the money, I have more expensive tables that combo holds its own.