Turntable Cartridge upgrade question.

I'd also like to know what cheap 7k TT you're talking about. 

Specs, related to IMAGING.

I like everything about your existing cartridge’s specs (never heard one), including it’s low tracking weight.

EXCEPT, It has only 26db channel separation, and 1.0 db center channel balance.

Not everyone can hear subtle differences, and those differences come down to ’preferences’, not ’better’.

Everyone can hear/experience ’better’ imaging, not just the sense of overall width, but the distinction of individual instruments/voices anywhere l/c/r.

Excellent engineering is revealed to a greater extent.

All imaging is phantom, a tighter center balance 0.5 db and a wider separation say 30 db produces a far more involving experience.

The stiffness of the cantilever material is also an issue, prices go up along with stiffer material. Buying these days, I stop at BORON. Many 'better' cartridges are mounted on aluminum cantilevers these days. In the past I have had beryllium, crystals. I still have a Sumiko Talisman Sapphire Cantilever/Line Contact that I have convinced myself yields a speck more bass, the difference very very slight.

My choice for my 1st MC cartridge was/is AT-33PTG/II

This one, with Shibata on Boron fits your budget

always check the relationship of signal strength to coil impedance. some need individual settings for signal boost and impedance loading, requiring a more sophisticated/expensive phono stage.

regarding phono stage: buy from a source allowing return/full refund, it is the ultimate ’preferred’ not ’better’ device IMO.

I also recommend the Hana ML. It’s very balanced & does everything well if not quite state of the art at any one thing. It’s quite low output will necessitate a good phono amp which can get pricey so maybe their higher output version might be a better choice. I use the Hana on an older but still very good Basis arm / table combo w/ excellent results. 

@lewm VPI Classic Signature Turntable is in question so it is great product for the money, opinions are it would take 15k TT to notice significant improvement, not sure if it is true but that's what I read.

@baylinor VPI Classic Signature