newbie to vinyl needs help

There are many possibilities. Some of the more common ones in your situation are:

1. VTF too light causing mis-track. Solution: increase VTF but don't go over maximum according to spec.

2. Dirty stylus. Solution: clean stylus and your record. Dirts on the stylus are from the record. You need to clean that too.

3. Damaged record. No solution, try a different record.

4. Overhang alignment setup wrong. Solution: get a protractor for the length of your arm. Realign cartridge.

5. Too much capacitor loading for MM cartridge. Solution: reduce capacitor loading of your preamp. If it doesn't have that adjustment, there isn't much you can do.

6. It is how the cartridge sounds. No solution except get a different cartridge.

Check antiskating. the 'antiskating (usually) uses a spring in the arm assy, or a weight on a pivot, to control the sideways thrust created by the angle of the arm and cart compared to the grooves. The "antiskate' adds a slight sideways push to the stylus. If it is way off in pressure, it can add some odd noises to the sound, and more as the cartridge gets closer to the center of the LP.
LESS is better than TOO MUCH with antiskate..
Also, the cartridge has to be aligned. If it was just as you bought it, the cart may actually not be ligned up right.
So those two things are the main ones.
(Also, is the cart vertical? does it cant to one side? It should be vertical.
If the cart is in the end of the arm square to the sides of the arm part holding the cart, it is probably pretty good. Ifthe cart is not all the way forward, nor all the way back in the headshell, it is probably OK. If it IS all the way forward ,otr back, or not 'square to the headshell. You should get someone to check the cart alignment.
Good Luck!!

The SL-BD22 is a P-mount design. Your cartridge simply plugs in and alignment should not be a problem. What cartridge are you using?

Hello.
First: Clean the cartridge pins and the pins on your cartridge.
2. Remove the stylus and clean the metal part that goes into the cartridge body, then treat it with pro-gold, etc.
3. You must use a protractor to align your cartridge in the the headshell properly. Your arm may lack VTA or height adjustment which is somewhat critical.

If all this is done it should improve the sound. I would also lubricate all moving parts with a lightweight oil with only a drop or two in critical areas. Inspect the cable on the tonearm to make sure it is clean as well as the RCA jacks and pins too.
Make sure the cartridge weight is set properly.

Or take it to your local Hi Fi store and ask them to check it out. If they are a Rega dealer they may take it in on trade and sell you a Rega P1.

If after you have done all of this and no improvement I would purchase a Shure M97 cartridge which mates well with this arm. The Grados may work well too but I think the M97 is better suited. The problem is that the Shure will run you around $100. That's almost 3 times the cost of the table.
I once replaced the entire tonearm wire with a quality interconnect once and it was a huge improvement. By the time you do that you could almost pick up a Rega P1 for a righteous price and be very very happy.
Good Luck and Happy Listening