It sounds like you believe your Turntable, and possibly the Cartridge are the weak links in your system, and wish to concentrate specifically with those components to achieve better analog playback and fidelity.
You appear to be uncertain and/or reluctant about the removal of the Carver with its phono stage from the system. Such analog front end components of course have a important and real impact on the sound, even running the same Table and Cartridge.
I've noted such immediately as I went up the ladder with phono stages. When I first delved into MC Cartridges, and bought a Benz Micro Glider HO Cartridge back in the 90's, I was given a couple of phono stages to try in home audition by Jim Davis of MusicDirect. He said try them, whichever you like keep, bring the other back, or both if you don't like neither.
One was an Audio Alchemy, about the size of a Pack of Cigarettes, and the McCormack Micro Phono Drive, a bit more expensive unit. Both sounded initially pretty good, I thought the AA Unit sounded pretty dynamic, but kept the MCormack due to smoother sound. The AA Unit did seem a little raspy, raw around the edges.
Reckon it reflects that in a lot of instances, you usually do get what you pay for. Seems the same also applies for Phono Cartridges. The pricing on such seems to usually be spot on in regards to sonics. That a $600 Cartridge will outperform a $400 one, the $1000 Cartridge outperforming the $600 one, so on and so forth.
Not to say though, that the lesser cartridge doesn't hold merit and possess certain attributes-qualities that can personally please.
As for the Carver's Phono Stage, one would have to consider what level of adjustability is present for an MC Cartridge of choice? Let's say it has only 2 gain settings? One setting might possibly prove to be inadequate,
not enough gain, while the other overly hot and too much gain?
The old saying claims, that most MC Cartridges with an output over 1mv usually behave like an MM, meaning 47K Ohms loading might suffice just fine. And as well, 47K Ohms can be used for low output MC as well, but one might also not be getting the best from such a cartridge, let's say my ZYX Airy 3X with an output of I believe .24mv. On the Sutherland PhD, I'm either set at 100 or 200 Ohms, I forget which?
And 60db or 62db, and again I forget which?
I've heard some say in regards to loading that 47K Ohms with an MC is like letting loose the reigns of a horse. Such will be running "wide open" in effect, and just might very likely be too much of a good thing. Sonics might be overly rasp, tinny, thin, way too much treble, just seeming to run way too "hot" and shrill. That further loading then "tames" and smooths the sound, more even keeled across the sonic spectrum,
Usually with a Cartridge, once you buy such, that's it, you now own it. Should the Phono Stage not be compatible due to gain-loading, then you have an issue to resolve ($$$ spent yet again)
Sadly, it's often a purchase that can be sound unheard, and you're relying on specs, other's reviews, and while others might like something, we all have different tastes.
The Airy 3X Cartridge and my Sutherland PhD were both purchases sound unheard, but were luckily extremely great choices, and paired very well together.
With both having uncanny qualities of very low noise, the Cartridge with it's tiny exotic profile Stylus plays with extremely low groove noise, the Sutherland being battery powered and well isolated from both EMI and RFI, the pair together produced an ultra black background, virtually CD-Like. First time I paired the two together, and did a initial test needle drop, I heard nothing, and thought something isn't working, then I was floored and pretty startled when the sound came forth!
If you had a local audio shop or two, that can hold some advantage where you might be able to audition certain components? Walk into an Audio Dealer though, and start looking and pricing brand new Turntables and Cartridges, you'll likely get a case of severe sticker shock!
That happened to me one day back in the 90's on one occasion, and was wishing to buy a new Table, walked into a Linn Dealer on Chicago's north side, spotted what looked like a very nice LP-12 Table, lifted the Price Tag on it and was totally floored at the price, $5600! OMG! Considerably too rich for my blood at the time! Don't know what it all came with, and wasn't about to ask!
As for used, I'd avoid places like ebay like the plague. Places like Audiogon is a good place to seek out used equipment, I have dealt with a good number of people there, and every experience was very positive.
Many upgrade parts and components were bought there for my VPI Table, the PhD Phono stage came from there, and my ZYX Cartridge came from Mehran at Sorasound in Chicago, who is the USA's ZYX main Distributor. Purchased an SRA Isolation Base for my Table there. VPI SDS Speed Controller-Conditioner for my Table, new in box, better heavier Platter, VPI SAMA Motor, and various other trinkets.
Audiogon Sellers do highly cherish, and have rightfully earned their good feedback, not about to pull fast ones with their gear, and commonly good audiophiles who care about packing and precisely describing their equipment.
A better Cartridge within the Ortofon Line could be one simple way. If all else is fine, gain, loading options with what you have, you'll hear improvements, but they won't necessarily be night and day ones.
Look for more drastic changes and improvements, then yeah, another different Phono Stage, Cartridge brand-model, and even Table-Arm might likely be required.
