After "upgrading" my Sota Star Vacuum turntable with SME IV arm to a Triangle Art Maestro turntable with Zeus Cartridge, after the initial setup the needle skipped quite often and the turntable was set up using all the high tech gear by the manufacturer himself.
The cause cause was..... wait for it.... the location and isolation wasn't right.
My Sota was a suspension design and where it was placed, it didn't skip with the low frequency energy transmitting from the speakers.
However, the Maestro on the other hand was a suspension less design and although it weighs 80 pounds, I had to move it and put it on a well isolated rack and lo and behold, no more skipping.
Wasn't dirt on the needle.
First test is to walk heavily and see if it translate onto the album. Or turn the music down and see if it skips then.
I am now a believer in proper turntable setup, location and isolation.
enjoy