ajxd

As always, bearchuck has a solid post. Except one thing, I wouldn't call companies like Pro-Ject/Music Hall botique. They make a lot of money, and make a lot of prodcuts in all price ranges. They've made DD and belt driven... but all of their over $1,000 tables are belt driven.

Check to see if surrounding foam of the driver is rotten. Or check to see if your preamp switch is on. Or if you have a phono channel in the receiver plug the cables into that.
Don't rule out your terrible TT, the speakers could be crap too! Test another source. Cd player, iPod, anything.

Reasons to not use tables with any automation.

Reasons to not use tables with any automation.

I had the exact same problem with the JVC L-A55. It's an easy fix.
First take off the platter (so that it won't fall down when you flip the table), then remove the screws on the bottom and open it up. You'll see a lever that pushes the tonearm to it's resting place. On that lever, there is a piece of rubber that has become sticky due to age. Just tape it over (it's easier than removing it) with some paper tape, and clean the tonearm bit in case it is a little sticky as well. That should do it.

I thought that's what he meant. In my head, sleeves refer to covering the record, while jacket covers the gatefold. My bad.

I haven't used a spin clean, but I have to imagine that's parts of the brushes. Brand new records shouldn't be THAT dirty.

Yeh it's real unfortunate for educated people to apply their knowledge to something they're passionate about, while helping people who have questions about it.

Quality of the record isn't the biggest fear. Damage to the stylus is. Every new record needs to be cleaned due to the fungicide used on pressing plant plates, because that fungicide degrades your stylus in multiple ways. Degraded styli can destroy grooves.
If you own 500 records, you can easily estimate that you have spent $3,000. If you're investing that kind of money, you should invest into preserving them.
Yes your analogy was terrible, here's a better one. Don't buy a Ferrari and get it's oil changed at Wal-Mart.

#1. Cheap solution. Go buy a .25 cent record from GoodWill and keep it on the turntable at all times. You can buy a custom acrylic cover for about $60, or make one yourself if you're handy. Dustcovers are actually bad for record play back. If you notice, high end tables don't come with one. They are only good for when the turntable isn't in use.
#2. Besides the 2 screws there are also 4 wires that connect the tonearm to the cartridge. If you have a local hi-fi shop, I'd recommend letting them change your cartridge.
#3. Yanquiuxo makes a solid point.

#1. Cheap solution. Go buy a .25 cent record from GoodWill and keep it on the turntable at all times. You can buy a custom acrylic cover for about $60, or make one yourself if you're handy. Dustcovers are actually bad for record play back. If you notice, high end tables don't come with one. They are only good for when the turntable isn't in use.
#2. Besides the 2 screws there are also 4 wires that connect the tonearm to the cartridge. If you have a local hi-fi shop, I'd recommend letting them change your cartridge.
#3. Yanquiuxo makes a solid point.