Sound from my turntable is veiled (like behind a curtain)


Hi everyone, my first post here.

I want to improve the sound of my turntable (Technics SL-1200 MK2, with Ortofon MC1 Turbo). My guess is that I need a better phono stage for it, right now I use the phono input of an old Toshiba SY-C15 pre-amp (https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/toshiba/sy-c15.shtml), connected to my Hegel H100 integrated amp. It is mainly the voice that sounds veiled (excuse my French, I am not sure if I use the right word). When I compare a same song from a digital source, through my DAC (Hegel HD-20), the voice and other high pitch sound are not present when played from the phono. I noticed this problem lately, when I changed my Rega Naos speakers for Amphion Argon 7LS.

What would be a good phono stage for this setup, and would this makes my analog source sounds better than the digital, as I expect it. I have a budget of around $1500 for this, used is fine.

Thank you!
ggagnon
@lewm The alcohol I used was 70%, so it is not pure.  But I will follow the advice of using special solution.  I didn't think that could damage the styli itself, I was very careful to not put alcohol on the cartridge plastic casing.
I agree a nice phono stage is needed, but have you checked the manual for your current pre? It sounds like the pre could be misconfigured for the cartridge.
@erik_squires The phono stage of the Toshiba is for MM, that's why I bought the HOMC Ortofon in the first place, I don't think there is any setting for it, and I don't have the manual anymore.