Weak Link in Vinyl Playback

“Maintaining both digital and analog systems is quite costly. You have some inexpensive options suggested above, but before spending more on the analog side, consider how such expenditures might improve your digital. I say this because getting analog right can be an unexpectedly expensive endeavor.”

Well said! @vonhelmholtz

I could not keep up with both and end up dissolving my pretty good analog setup. I thought long and hard about this as my next meaningful upgrade in analog would’ve been close to $50K (previous setup was around $25K). Instead, I decided to focus on digital and I can say unequivocally that my current digital system propels no desire to jump back into TT. And this is no offense to anyone who enjoys the ritual of spinning vinyl and can afford to maintain both digital and analog systems.

@nlitworld If I ran the phono at stage 3, it looks like that’s an match for .5 mV output, no? I could entirely be reading that wrong.

Would it be worth just tacking on the SUT and cables to what I already have if I can really dial it in and there'd be a mismatch with the cart anyway?

It wouldn't necessarily create a mismatch in settings, but the output of your phono preamp would go down thus making it quieter and seemingly less power which is what started you down this path to begin with. But cartridge stats and phono stage settings are really finding a good combo and reading up on it will take some time to understand the quirks. If you were to upgrade cart, the settings could and should sound just fine, but your output from your phono stage would go down from 0.88v (3.5mV with 48dB gain) down to 0.5V (0.5mV with 60dB gain). While that is not a large issue most of the time, it may get where your Saga is almost full volume. With gain setting #4, the forced 100 Ohm impedance would be too low and would sound quiet, dark and blah. Not a deal breaker, just something to keep in mind. 

With getting into MC carts (and especially LOMC) you really have to watch your impedance settings as they will wildly effect the sound of your system. Too little resistance and things will sound bright and thin, but too much and you'll be quiet, dark and blah. LoMC do sound better for sure, but only when you can get it right with adjusting settings. When I built my phono stage, I went through 5 different resistor values to find a nice happy medium, so I got some good practice with a soldering iron.

Currently I'd say if you were making ONLY one change, you'd be better off with a phono stage upgrade. Given your setup, I'd suggest another option with multiple gain settings but also independent impedance and capacitance settings as well. Going back to my fat kid brain food analogy, the best steak (cartridge) prepared in a microwave (underperforming phono stage) will still not equal a great meal. Lol. I made that mistake buying my Benz Micro cart while still using that Project Tube Box. My Ortofon 2M Blue into my current phono stage would have been far superior to my Benz Micro into the Project. Point being, you'd set yourself up much better for current system and future upgrades with a better phono stage over a better cart. And if you were going for a better cart suited to your current setup, a Sumiko Wellfleet MM cart would be an easier plug n play than the Hana EL.

@nlitworld Thanks for the clarity - immensely helpful. Phone stage it is. 

Someone posted your table's arm is w/o height adjustment. I found this at Vinyl Engine trying to understand what TT you have: 

The tonearm definately IS adjustable in height. (RTFM) Their is a screw on the right side in the lift assy. Push down the lift as the screw is a hex that needs to be un-locked prior to adjustment. Then adjust height of arm with screwdriver: clockwise is lower, anti-clock is higher. 

Check your arm/cart set up in every aspect. Then consider a cartridge upgrade IMO.