used to my dad's technics automatic direct drive quartz turntable he got in the early 90s (never changed the needle all these years), i was surprised that the quality of sound in my new turntable sucks in comparison.

worse than that, i can't get some of my records to play!

the counterweight constantly needs attention, either the needle is too heavy and i get a horrible dragging sound, or its too light and the record skips and loops and has horrible distortion.
i havent been able to play some records because i can't find that sweet spot of a balanced needle.

and for those records i can get to play, it still doesnt sound as good as my dad's old technics automatic he got for less than a hundred bucks over a decade ago.

is my turntable setup incorrectly?
help!
thanks
daniel