I agree with (almost) everything already said here. IMO speakers are the single component most critical to whatever sound you are trying to achieve. No other single component will make as much as a difference to your systems sound.
Other components will "dial in" the sound, some more and some less, but if your speakers aren't getting you close to what you are looking to hear then you are not going to hit the mark. A change of cartridge will not overcome a speaker/room/amp compatibility mismatch.
Other components will "dial in" the sound, some more and some less, but if your speakers aren't getting you close to what you are looking to hear then you are not going to hit the mark. A change of cartridge will not overcome a speaker/room/amp compatibility mismatch.