As Timeltel says, this turntable has a P-mount cartridge, so all the advice about VTF, overhang, alignment, adjusting anti-skate, and swapping to a standard 1/2" mount cartridge (e.g., Shure M97xE) does not apply. P-mount cartridges are plug'n'play. To be a P-mount cartridge it must conform in overall weight, geometry, compliance and therefore tracking force and anti-skate settings. Cleaning the contacts at the plug-in still applies however.
There are still some higher quality P-mount cartridges available. LPGear.com offers a wide variety of P-mount cartridges here. For $100 I think I'd go with the Ortofon 320, though several of the other offerings are good as well.
As others said, the distorted sound you're getting is probably from a dirty or damaged stylus or damaged records. Could also possibly be from a bad connection, which is why cleaning the contacts is a good idea.
Also, you said "you've been told they (cartridges) either work or they don't..." but you don't say who told you that. You can't believe everything you've been told, even by us. What is the make and model of the cartridge? You may need to clean the contacts where the cartridge plugs into the arm.
Do you have any new records to try out on this turntable?
There are still some higher quality P-mount cartridges available. LPGear.com offers a wide variety of P-mount cartridges here. For $100 I think I'd go with the Ortofon 320, though several of the other offerings are good as well.
As others said, the distorted sound you're getting is probably from a dirty or damaged stylus or damaged records. Could also possibly be from a bad connection, which is why cleaning the contacts is a good idea.
Also, you said "you've been told they (cartridges) either work or they don't..." but you don't say who told you that. You can't believe everything you've been told, even by us. What is the make and model of the cartridge? You may need to clean the contacts where the cartridge plugs into the arm.
Do you have any new records to try out on this turntable?