I'm using a Music Hall MMF7 TT with Goldring Cart and Phonomena phono-pre. Compared to most CD and SACD players I've had in my home, it outperformed them all. Well, outperform may be a bit overzealous, but the combination does seem to come together very well and brings more air, spaciousness, and life to the music. I have not heard the Marantz, though and from everything I've read it's quite a performer.

I will concur with 02audionoob that the anti-skating (as well as several other adjustments) are not very precise on even the MMF7. I've also been drooling over that Clearaudio Emotion combo (almost picked it up when they had a special for $1899). I previously had the Clearaudio Wood cartridge in my TT and I can say that is one beautiful-sounding cartridge.

Long story short, a lot of how a system performs has to do with synergy, so the step-by-step approach in your case is probably good advise. Let us know what you find out.