My turntable sounds like the speed is too slow

First get hold of an inexpensive strobe or use the cell phone app and verify that it’s running slow and how slow.

To check for belt slip, make a mark on the platter and the belt, eg, using a magic marker, and see if the two marks stay aligned as the platter rotates.

Thanks for the tip.  I measured at it reads average 33 1/3 RPM.

I guess it’s not the speed?  What else could I trouble shoot.

alexnguyensoun

I measured at it reads average 33 1/3 RPM. I guess it’s not the speed?

How did you measure that? An "average" speed can still have substantial speed deviation, which can be measured as wow and flutter.

If the speed is consistent and correct then focus needs to shift to the cartridge setup.  Has it always had this “muffled vocals” presentation or is this a recent change?  Check VTF, and alignment of the cartridge as your next steps.

Well, if the speed is correct:

it's more than likely coming from the cartridge"

how are your alignment skills/have needed tool set?

alignment: was it working well before? were/are the two screws tight (try moving the cartridge body by hand, twist sideways, move front to back, IOW, IF it was not tight, it could have moved.

arm height, parallel to lp when playing?

stylus worn/perhaps loose from cantilever or rarely chipped; cantilever flattened (low rider), or bent sideways; tracking force or anti-skate or both seriously off