Clean the records! Be sure your cartridge is aligned properly in the arm and that the bearings are super free. Check the anti-skate so that the cantilever stays centered when the record is playing. I had a friend whose alignment was so bad he thought particular record was a trio, but once we got the cart in alignment, he discovered it was an orchestra!
Phono Stage, Cartridge, DeGritter...which one first?
If you were considering any of these changes, which one would make the most immediate improvement without narrowing it down to a specific phono stage or cartridge...interested in some feedback from the analog folks here.