Why is my turntable sounding so muddy?

Thanks for all the positive feedback. I tried a few things that you guys mentioned and the one thing I did was put the original cartridge back on.
It sounds better but still not quite what I think is correct? My next move is new tubes I will give that a try. Czarivey your thought is the one 
I thought about and that is why I went back to the original cartridge. I don't have the manual on my Counterpoint SA3 and looked on line for where the setting are but no luck yet. Again thanks for you help.

Could there be corrosion on any of the connections?  Maybe it's time to clean the contacts?

I'd run that preamp for a week before taking it seriously. Electronics don't like sitting around for years without being run. Audio equipment has a way of not sounding right when you turn it on again (or ever- unless it gets serviced out after not running for a while).

The phono section is arguably the most sensitive part of the preamp in more ways than one. Give it some time!

Could be as simple as a dirty stylus. Obviously be very gentle, use a tight pile stylus brush with the tonearm free and not locked down. Apply no more pressure than the tracking force, back to front. Hope this helps.

perazzi28C

ould be as simple as a dirty stylus. Obviously be very gentle, use a tight pile stylus brush with the tonearm free and not locked down

Oh no, I completely disagree with this. If the pickup arm is not locked down, it's subject to movement as you try to clean the stylus. That's exactly what should be avoided. If the arm is locked down - and you're careful - it's not difficult to ensure that the stylus is cleaned only back-to-front, with no sideways motion that could damage the cantilever alignment.