Frustrated with Vinly

There is only 2-3 reasons to play vinyl:

1. If you already have a big collection 
2. Sometimes LP mastering has lower loudness than any of the digital versions
3. Some albums you can not find on other formats

Otherwise a LP is a continuous analogue wave. That is a lossy format in data terms just like MP3 is a lossy format (keep in mind to not compare with the lowest nitrate). 
Yes you read right!
Today and for several decades we have recorded digitally. So the master original is digital so all information is there..
To make a LP then it mastering to LP format then some information is deliberately thrown away to fit the LP format. Just exactly what MP3 does. There is one of the LP lossy things.
Another is during the whole production and steps the LP yet loose fideiity. Again loss. Plus we gain clicks and pops even if you take the record from the machine to your TT. It will have clicks and pops. Those were not there in the digital master.. so you see it is not all ditt. So you can not clean all away..
It is a lossy format so if that bothers you go back to digital. The problem with digital is that the record label will not give anybody the master you will get a digital copy that they have treated with more or less loudness and other stuff.
So choose your poison well.. :)

Needless to say, a record is a dirt magnet. The record can’t help it -- attracting dirt is part of its DNA. Dibasic lead stearate or cadmium or other esters of stearic acid make up as much as 2 percent of the vinyl compound. These additives provide thermal buffering for the vinyl during pressing, aid the platter’s release from the mold and prevent oxidation on the newly minted record. Function served, mold-release agents turn into foreign substances between stylus and groove, where they remain and attract dirt. Chemical analyses of 50-year-old used records reveals mold-release agent still in the groove.

Playing dirty records not only generates audible clicks and pops, it wreaks physical havoc. When a stylus exerting N tons of pressure per square inch smacks head on into a family of 5-micron-sized rocks sailing along at 60 knots, the impact can deform the groove wall or, thanks to heat generated by the forces in play, fuse those rocks to the vinyl itself.

I always clean new records before playing them.

By cleaning all records, new & old, I enjoy music many times more.

The main problem with "common sense" is that it is the least common of all senses today.

audioguy,

I am in the process of researching some better turntables.

One that has piqued my interest right now is the Thorens TD 148a but not sure what the quality of the catridge is.

Seems like a good solid table and I like the automatic features (the denon has spoiled me in this sense).

But I can't seem to find any really good reviews on it.

The others that I am researching right now are: rega, project, music hall, mobile fidelity and even goldenote.