Upgrade from TW Acustic Raven AC-3 to what?

If you have the money to spend, I see no issue in going to Black Night or the da Vinci to match your tonearm / cart combo and both should do more of what you are looking for.
Dgad might want to add some comments here as he has gone from AC-3 to BN and he states it is very much more open and not dark at all.

I somewhat agree that the AC-3 can be a little dark sounding and a touch warm in the upper bass - however I luv that trait about the AC-3 as it is a long way from stark and lean.

Lewm is correct, a very nice vintage DD or a GP Monaco should have a tighter bass.
I just bought an Exclusive P3 DD table and the biggest difference between that and the AC-3 is the way it drives and controls the bass. There is no upper bass bloom or overhang and it controls the bass and subsequent mid and upper bass with precision. This gives you a more clarity in the upper bass and lower mid range.

As with anything, there is no free lunch and with some recordings this is perfect, with others the AC-3 is clearly preferable.

Going the vintage DD route will cost less than your cartridge and you will get a 2nd turntbale which is always good. You can then play whatever table suits the style of music you are playing, as there is never a best of anything.

you have many choices available, so have fun

Thuchan

Yes thanks for asking, nice to know you care - I felt comfortable before & now after your comments.

I think as you would clearly know, having more than one nice turntable gives you a perspective that one can not do everything.

BTW - how many raven's were offered at very good prices :-)

Audioquest,

I saw one of your Transrotors in HK. Very nice bling :-)

Thucan

" Alectioning, what I learned from a friend in France: it is not easy to sell a Raven at the moment. I do not why but many potential buyers my friend contacted were quickly offered nearly new Ravens for a very good price. I have no clue how this could work."

that's a nice thinly veiled, but rather pathetic shot at TW.

Exactly what was the point of this comment?

Even if it was true, I would suspect any expensive turntable may be hard to sell in this current environment.