Vinyl System Upgrade Path Recommendations

I would say other then clean records your next step may be a better cart, the AT isn't bad for a starter cart (sub $100) but moving up to a better fixed styli's cart will open up your musical enjoyment, also try to find a tip profile that like a mico line, shibata etc will give you more detail but ellipticals are not bad either.  there is some very good AT carts that wont hurt your budget if your enjoying the AT sound. Then of course there is a huge amount of good carts for the budget minded audiophile. I'd look in the $150-$500 range as there is some very good MM carts in there that will be a huge step up from your cart. if you have a MC stage maybe an entry level MC cart but min there would be something like the Denon DL 301 at $250 new. I'd probably stick with MM for now until / unless you wanted to try a high output MC as I believe your pre has some loading selections not 100% sure there though.

thinking MM carts like the Otofon blue's, red's and bronzs. AT OC 9's very good cart for the money. there are so many I'd go on a site like needledoctor and take a look and then google search for reviews.

I think honestly power conditioning as lowrider mentions is not going to be your best budget spending option and you should really focus on the bigger improvements for your system at the level you are now. before spending $1000's on power conditioning. mind you, you should have some basic filter and surge protection. but that's easily done for under $100.

 you'd have to invest $500 and up to get into vacuum / sonic cleaner and still need to buy the towels or vacuum (if sonic) to dry them after. the spin clean is actually very good start I use one myself for quick cleaning.

really you have a $89 cart that's your weakest point IMO then phono stage and pre-power. A better cart will track better, give you more detail give you better pop and tick smoothing and better over all musicality.

 I recently looked for a temporary phono stage in the $500 range and found the ifi iphono2 to be one of the best for the money, good place to start looking anyway $499ish. if your thinking of replacing your pre-power then don't spend the money on a separate phono stage now and get one built in to the preamp- integrated- etc.

I mean we can talk room treatments, power conditioning, etc. but you need to work on the basics first then move into the finer details as experience and funds come available. That said there are a few room treatment things you can do for next to no money. for headphones room treatment is a non issue of course unless you can treat your ear canals but I digress.