Upgrade from my Planar 2


I want to plan my next move and am considering the options. Current setup: Rega Planar 2, Ortofon Blue and Vincent phono pre. I picked up the turntable used and had a new cartridge installed and the table gone over by a local shop. It sounds great and in many ways makes me wonder at what level the sound would be noticably better. Right now I have a $500 miracle so I guess the next step is much harder. I figure that a 1 shot upgrade on table, cart and pre is my next move. I have 4k to spend so I was thinking about a VPI classic for the table but dont know what to do about the cart or pre. There are lots of options and its gotten rather confusing. I want to hear better bass and smoother highs.

The rest of the system: B&W 802D, Cary SLP03 Pre, Cary Cinema 7B amp. I listen to Rock, Blues and some classical.
stl114_nj
Elizabeth,
Lots of good thoughts in you post. After reading it, upgrading the phono pre first makes sense since my current table has a fresh calibration and cart. I prefer using tried and true combo's since I an new to the analog game. What cartridge for 1k or less would be the best match for the Fosgate?
I would agree with you (original poster). If I were shopping in that price range I'd look long and hard at the vpi classic. I'd match it to a dynavector 20x and spend the remainder on a good used phono stage (sorry, can't help you much there as I'm not really familiar with what's around in phono stages right now).

I'd also consider a used Michell Gyro with perhaps an SME 309 arm.
I was going to buy a VPI Classic, but my Rega dealer changed my mind (the VPI has a long wait list), and I bought a new Rega P5 plus power supply with a Benz Glider, so far new $ is (with a small discount $2,500 or so. Used P5 even better, and then you could get a Fosgate Signature Phono preamp.
If I was you, I'd get the Phono first, and look at the Fosgate, and at some other $2 grand ones. Graham-slee Herron VTPH (used here, now) you just missed Cary phono for $1,400
I'd get a great phono first and try it with the current TT and cart.
Then maybe even go for 1K cart and put on current TT until find a great used TT
Good 1K carts:
Benz Glider, Dynavector 17D3, Lyra Dorian, Shelter 501 mkII
MY stuff: Rega P5/Benz Glider with Bryston BP1.5
And Kuzma Stabi S/Sogi S with Dynavector Karat 17D3 and an Audio Research SP-15 used just for phono input
(I would like to get a Fosgate...)
Buy the phono first if you feel confused. And spend a good amount on it. You have good stuff upward of the phono, so get a good one you can keep. especially if you like the Tt you have and want more, A phono may give you more all by itself, second would be a Cart (even if it costs to mount it on current TT.
This isn't what you asked exactly, but it is my two cents..