Upgrade path question with $2k to spend

@icegeek - I’m with @johnss - with the phono stage upgrade

I would recommend the Simaudio Moon 310LP - then you will be able to hear improvements of future analogue upgrades - you will hear improvemetns from your existing cartridge

Best Turntable Preamp | 310LP Phono Preamplifier | MOON - Simaudio

I have it’s predesessor the LP5.3 RS and I have stopped looking for a replacement

Prior to that I had owned several budget oriented phono stages and none of them came close to the performance of the MOON.

I did take home an LFD phono stage, but it was not a great match to my other components, so I exchanged it for the LP5.3 RS - and Voila!

The 110LP is also very good and it’s design is carried down from developments in higher models, so if you are uncomfortable with the 310LP price, then the 110LP is a great choice also.

You could then afford a cartridge from a company like Soundsmith

• I have the Soundsmith modified Denon DL103
• an excellent pairing with either the 110LP or 310 LP

I’ve changed cartridges a couple of times and the LP5.3 RS phono stage has revealed significant details with each uprade

The Simaudio products also respond very well when great cables are used with them. I recommend Zavfino, In-Akustik and Hijiri cables for best performance

Regards - Steve

If you are using the bult-in room correction, plug your main speaker's ports and run it again. :)

In general though, I have not heard Yamaha HT receivers in a very long time, but I do know that the quality of the sound processing, especially the DAC's of HT processors is really very wide.  The gap among products is really disappointingly wide, when you'd think it should be really close.  So, generally speaking, I would encourage you to try out an Anthem if you can find one, only because they sound good and relatively inexpensive.  For sure, not Onlyo or Emotiva. 

lyngdorf tdai 1120

This is hard. I would immediately look to a phono stage… $2K will get you a much better one. The Phonostage is far up in the signal chain… But, first thing has to be the Yamaha. Surround processors sound terrible for two channel audio. I would trade it in and apply all your cash. I would buy a used integrated Luxman or NAD (only preamp and amp)… reach as high as possible. If you can actually get a used audiphile piece it will raise the performance level so much, it will allow you many years to get a better phono stage… which will then make a huge difference. Then TT and cartridge.

I'm with @russ69  on this. You have a mixed starter system now. The mix is the Yammy HT receiver in with 2 channel.. I like the Yammy's quality and sound And they make decent integrated also which is what you need . There are different priorities between the 2 channel and HT.  BTW, A 2 channel HT is fine for me and many others who have used it. .If you are adventurous a tube integrated may sound better to you also. But expect a little maintenance IE tube changing when bad. But many will last 5-10 yrs so its not an extraordinary amount to maintain. Then after the amp, the turntable needs upgrade. Then the phono preamp. Cartridge is alright for the time,have fun