Surprised at how turntable sounds

I suggest you spend alot of time listening to demos on vinyl before you start dropping big $.  It may not be for you.  The times I have listened I have not found myself wanting to switch over from streaming.  Do some AI interaction and ask about the amount and types of distortion between streamer DAC output compared to phono output.  You have to have a personal taste for that type and level of distortion found in the phono output.  If you like it, go for it, but test the water first.  I agree that your turn table is not giving a fair shake to vinyl, but even if you spent more, it may not be your cup of tea, not to mention the cost and effort.  

You absolutely need a better TT and a phono pre. FWIT those original MK III’s maintained properly and tubed correctly sound pretty darn good and I regret parting with mine years ago. Ironically a few years back I purchased a pristine pair of reproductions only to be totally disappointed with their flat and lifeless sound. The funny thing is I traded them for a restored and modded Thorens TD160 with a Grado Prestige cartridge. I broke out the old records and washed them with an inexpensive Spin Doctor and very much enjoyed the sound. Since then I purchased some new vinyl including a couple MFSL ones and they sound great. I think my TT with that cartridge is probably worth about $1500. As mentioned above get a nicer TT and cartridge and an entry phono pre. Budget for $1K - 1500 and you should be happy. Happy Hunting , Mike B. 

You have a lot of really good advice here. No one has mentioned breaking in the cartridge, probably because this one isn't worth messing with, bur any decent cartridge will sound better after 50+ hours of break-in.

I have a Pioneer PL-500 I found used, and added an Ortofon Blue cartridge. Low end by the standards here, but quite full and warm, which you say you want. 

I agree that the MacIntosh phono stage on my C20 doesn't sound as good as my outboard phono stage. What it does have is EQ for pre-RIAA formats, which would be useful if you have a collection of very early vinyl. That's of more interest to an historian than a modern-day audiophile!

Oops, meant Nagaoka cartridge.

@martinb, Welcome.

Firstly, the digital vs. analog arguments are silly.  Digital is a Pixar movie.  You can do ANYTHING.  And it is all fake, a reconstruction.  Analog is live action, subject to physical laws and constraints.

Analog is not for everyone.  It is for nerds that want to be close to the physical signal pathway and navigate physical constrains.  It is expensive -- a good system is only as good as its weakest component.  And, at a certain level incremental gains are to be had for increasingly copious amounts of cash. 

That is what makes this hobby so satisfying... for a certain type of person, that is.

My advice, having been in high-end audio for the past three years: save up for the GOOD system on the first (or second) try.  Stay away from the incremental upgrade path.  You will save money and not constantly be jonesing for "more".

My system is a Merrill design, his PolyTable, 12.7" tonearm -> Mutech Hayabusa MC cart -> Sutherland Vibe preamp -> Marantz Model 30 -> Wharfedale Linton 85s + Aperion ribbons + SVS-2000 sub (x1).  Pretty sweet setup, and I would put it next to a digital-only system any day.

The best system?  No.  Could it be improved?  Yes.  But does a recording of a live performance sound like a live performance in my living room?  Yes it does.  It is the best system for me, for what I am willing to spend.  It does not need equalization.  It plays exactly what is in the grooves.

It isn't a peeing contest -- it is what you like and what you want.  And with analog, your choices affect the sound.  You can influence it at a tactile level.

The hobby is not for the masses, but it can be genuinely rewarding.