I have a turntable and cartridge not on-par with the rest of my 2-channel system. (link to photos in signature) I will eventually upgrade, but am looking for info that might help me get more enjoyment out of what I have in the mean time.

It's a Pioneer PL-550 direct drive with a Sumiko Oyster cartridge that I hook up through the phono stage of an old NAD 2030 integrated. It sounds prohibitively flat and grainy. By flat I mean a rather two-dimensional soundstage. But it’s actually the graininess that keeps me from listening to my vinyl.

I will eventually upgrade either the cartridge or the whole rig. But in the mean time, are there particular free or very low cost (<$20) tweaks/adjustments that are understood to address graininess specifically?

BTW, I have always (for the last 25 years) noticed it to be true that the graininess increases as the needle gets closer to the center. What’s up with that?

Link to photo of my TT:
http://s272.photobucket.com/albums/j...urrent=TT1.jpg

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.