Not Enjoying My Turntable

Skipping number one cause is dirt buildup on the stylus tip. Number two is too small a tracking force, the amount for an inexpensive TT should be right at the top of the recommended range.. Third likely problem to cause skipping is too much anti-skating force.lso the turntable needs to be level. like really level not just casual eyeball level.. using a bubble level of some kind on the platter surface.  
Some Lps have a significant amount of fine dirt you cannot see in the grooves.. but that in one LP side clogs up all around the stylus.

I had a turntable back starting in 1965.. (Garrard Lab80, Shure M55E) back then I just stuck the cartridge on the arm, eyeballed it, set the tracking to one notch below max, set antiskate one less than the setting on cart. Finished.     Azimuth? wtf is that??
Now over fifty years later how do I set up my turntables? (Kuzma Stabi/Stogi S Dynavector 17D3) ((Rega P5 Benz Glider) same way, exactly the same way. no problems.  Ahhh I did try to get the unipivot arm level, after all. eyeballing it.
Maybe I am an unrecognized genius of set up? NO idea, but they sound fine.   

I use a large floor vacuum cleaner.. Take the hose and use a brush attachment I 'save' just for LPs. 
Suck the dust off...  
IF the record still looks like it has stuff in the grooves I WASH IT IN THE SINK. Pat dry and suck the last of the water off wit htthe same vacuum and brush. works.For some LPs I just use a carbon fiber brush from Oracle France, made back in the 80's.. So I do not know if it is carbon fiber? Works good. I run the brush around the LP then clean brush each time with "Long Term packing tape" it is less sticky than regular Scotch Packing Tape. I stick a run of the tape to the TT board. takes about five to ten Lps to need replacing.

I have no need to make a lot of effort to 'maybe' make it sound better. Knowing MY grass is GREEN ENOUGH.. I do not need to chase some other grass, 'because it could be better' Yeah and it could be a worthless money pit. (Been there done that)
Know when to stop is just as important as knowing anything else.

The 'spend more money' theory of audiophilia. The answer to ANY audio question for many audiophiles is... Ta Daaa... SPEND MORE MONEY.   
The real magic is fixing the problem free... free. ever think of that?OMG never!!!!!

Did the op SAY he was looking for 'audiophile sound quality'???I think the op said he was not pleased with the TT he has, due to various problems.. Like skipping. and muffled sound.Both of which are FIXED for free by cleaning off the stylus!! He has no need to spend money to clean the stylus. balance the TT flat. check the tracking force... NO MONEY ,ZERO... Then you come along and write: buy a $3000 tt or you have crap on a stick.(my translation)
Tell me you did not say that edgewear???And audiophile is relative. I an certain the op is a nice audiophile and can be happy as a clam with his $300 TT. NO PROBLEM. It is his TT, his setup, his appreciation.     
(Would "I" be happy with a $300 TT? lets see. YES. in fact I have a bought used (at least 15 years ago) $300 TT (Dual Golden One)  I stuck a free to me 30 year old Dynavector Ruby23 on. Sounds great. I could live with it no problem rather than my Kuzma.Now on to spending money. I did not say spending money was bad. I was writing that the suggestion to others as a SOLUTION is to SPEND MONEY sucks. Anyone can spend money. Finding a solution which someone can USE.. that is no cost or low cost is really the helpful solution. Everyone ALREADY KNOWS how to solve problems by spending wads and wads of cash. Jeesh.