Which to upgrade first: Turntable or Phono Preamp

@elliottbnewcombjr This isn't meant as a putdown, but I'm having a hard time making sense of your dialogue about switching from a MM to MC cart since the OP has a nice MC cart already.

Getting a better turntable is the thing that is most likely to result in better sound quality in terms of more detail, better imaging, soundstaging, timing, etc. or to your point, more of the music getting through.  You're correct that changing the cart or the phono stage may result in a more noticeable difference in sonic character, but that's not always the same as an improvement. 

Different can be good.  Better is usually better.  

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.  There are very good comments from both sides.  Now I have some homework to do.   Will post back if I do make a change.  Thanks again!

I would spend money on phono stage. Herron would be a good choice. If you are looking for used, it may not be easy to find one. Allnic H1202 would be an alternative. There are a few available for sale now.
Once you upgrade phono stage, sooner or later you might feel your turntable is a weak link. (Hana ML and Herron/Allnic are at different leagues compared to your turntable). Then you can worry about upgrading the turntable.

big_greg4

you are right, upgrade that TT. I felt enough people already said that.

I write about function, features, flexibility, future options, think long, often not specific recommendations. I know I’m confusing sometimes, seemingly off track, I ask you to remember, I often think of others following a discussion with their own half-related questions, not always specific to OP.

If/when I had only 1 tonearm, I want a changeable headshell. Alternate MM with changeable stylus, not to mention, having the option of a true Mono cartridge.

Multiple arms let you have alternates ready to go in an instant. That’s a wonderful thing.

New TT, I would choose Direct Drive, Quartz, that fits two arms, start with one with a changeable headshell. 2nd arm, now or later, can be non-removable. Alternate cartridge(s) aligned, ready to go with a few adjustments; change to a Mono cartridge if like me you play many Mono LP’s.

Having a MM option for LP’s that are keepers but not sonically deserving of the best cartridge, why wear out your non-replaceable MC?

That’s why I went from 2 to 3 arms, MC, MM, Mono. And, my MM Shure/SAS is very good as a preferable alternate to my MC for certain types of well engineered content. And, the Shure/SAS’s brush is best for warps.

I was just lucky, bit by bit, how mine came together with help here. And pretty clever I might add, squeezing the 3rd arm on my 2 arm plinth!
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I thought I would just toss in: "Challenge Your Assumptions". My finally trying MC as example. I know Hana is MC, and highly respected, I am saying, happy, but looking for a change in sound, perhaps an ALTERNATE cartridge ALSO.
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Better is Better, again you are right, yet

Change doesn’t always have to be ’Better’. My JSE Infinite Slope Model 2’s were the most measurably accurate speakers I have owned, heard em at a show, wanted them for years, got em, loved them for many years. But I missed these horns. I haven’t measured, but I presume less measurably accurate (less better?). I gave the JSE’s to my son.

I missed my Tube Amps, was using McIntosh SS MC2250 with JSE’s. These horns let me easily use my 30 wpc tube amps (a bit small for the JSE’s). Tubes less measurably accurate, less better?

LP has lower S/N than Digital; R2R tape has ’even less better’ S/N, and yet, here, everyone chooses tubes over SS; LP over CD; R2R Tape over LP.

R2R, my noisiest source, is without doubt the best sounding content I have. Least better is best!!!

@elliottbnewcombjr  I too like having options and being able to change things out and understand that better isn't always "better".  I love my Technics SL 1200 MK2 because I can easily swap out cartridges and change the sound.  It has a lot of the KAB mods and sounds very nice.  I recently picked up a pair of Klipsch Quartet speakers.  They are not even close to being as "good" as some of the other speakers I own, but they are the most "fun" speakers and do really shine with vocals and acoustic guitars in ways that the others don't.