Is this why my analog rig isn't so hot?

Raul, what do you mean by "low compliance"?
"the Graham tonearm has many problems, specially with low compliance cartridges, not because is a unipivot tonearm but because is a bad design."

Got it Raul.
My cartridge is 35cu so I never experience any issue with the graham 1.5T.
Thank you for bring it to my attention regarding to tonearm and cartridge matching.
Something new I learn today.

Raul,
What's the difference between static compliance and dynamic compliance value? some cartridge company gives you static compliance and some dynamic compliance. What does all this mean? I just know that my cartidge is a high compliance according to the manufacutres website and from professional reviewers.

Psychicanimal, Why mod a 1200 when you can get SP-10 broadcast quality table? Turn back in time, the Mitchell Cotter turntable uses these SP-10s.

As far as CD vs LP, I think the recording itself has a lot to do with it. From I what have heard, if the source is already in digital format then I don't see much advantage using LP play back.

i.e. From the digital source, we have compared both CD and LP version of the Nora Jones "Come away with Me" album and we found the CD actually sound better.

From analog source, I have yet to find a better recording on CD than LP. we have compared both CD and LP version of LA Four's "Going home" and 3 blind mice's "Mid Night Sugar" and found the LP is far more superior than the CD.

Recording technologies had improved over thw past 2 decades so I would probably prefer CD for the newer music and LP for the older music.

Just my 2 cents

I think you probably didn't give enough credits for the relaibility of those SP-10s. Most of the broadcast quality is far more superior than pro-audio or consumer grade. I love my EMT930ST table with the 929 arm and EMT cartridge. I was dumb enough to trade it 4 years ago because of the limited cartridge selection.