Turntables

Hi
Wow! Advice is all over the place with regard your question! Looks like MANY did not read the post where you said you bought a table and cartridge. I don’t know anything about either of choices. 
Here’s my advice, having nothing to do with what you chose and having everything to do with set-up. Go to sound-smith.com and watch his YouTube videos and read articles by Peter Ledermann from S-S. He speaks to turntable set-up and the importance of correct Vertical Tracking Angle, Rake Angle, arm/cart resonance interface, and tracking force all of which are CRITICAL to get the best from your new/used equipment.
You stated that you wanted to buy less-fussy equipment for your first new foray.  I think that would have been a poor choice, as others said here.  I’m glad you bought an adjustable TT and new cart- good way to go. 
(Aside: I don’t think the phono step-up you bought is equivalent to your amplifier quality however, as it is important to revealing the resolution that I’m sure you are accustomed to with your front end.)
Seriously look at the resonance of your arm/cartridge choice.
I had purchased a turntable with a low compliance arm and a low resonance MC cart available “everywhere” as a “combo” with Pro-ject RPM3 and Blue Point No. 3.  It wasn’t for me! (for sale on eBay right now)  I’m running an RPM 10.1 and ancient Grace F9e (purchased by me in 1984- retapped). It has a stiff arm and super-high resonance cart. (you can hear the third violinist shift his feet. LOL).  You can go the other way too, with a compliant arm and a low compliance cartridge. 

Look to the vinylengine forum for an evaluator. It’s very rough though. 
 
This from Ortofon: (much more  accurate formula)

“Resonance frequency can be calculated by using the formula 
f = 1000 : (2 x π x √ (M x C)) where:
f - Cartridge resonance frequency in Hz
π - 3.14159265359...
C - Cartridge compliance lateral in µm/mN
M - Total tonearm system mass which is a sum of Mass of cartridge, Mass of headshell and screws and effective mass of tone arm (all values in gram).

• Resonance frequency within 7-12Hz is optimal for the system. 
• Resonance frequency slightly outside optimal interval 6,5-7Hz and 12-14Hz can be considered as a possible that probably can be used without problems.
• Resonance frequency outside the interval 6,5-7Hz and 12-14Hz is questionable, and the system might not work properly.”

Take the time to set it up, or find a local dealer or friend to help. If you purchase the correct arm/cart combination, and set it up correctly you will not be disappointed!

Best to you. Happy New Year!

Bentunderground

++1paulcreed
There are a couple reasons you could be experience that from your LPs in-addition to what paulcreed stated. 
Firstly, some vinyl is just plain better. It depends on how it’s pressed when it was pressed, the label it’s on, etc. Were those LPs that you were given new? Check out the Kate Bush new box set release thread on Agon. Mine were fine, others reported horror!  My copy of Donald Fagen’s Nightfly180g release is incredible sounding. I just received Broken Social Scene’s, Broken Social Scene, my favorite Indy band, It has very poor resolution!
Secondly,  Please look to my post about setting up your TT. I was suffering the same issues with that expensive rig until I set it up correctly. Records were popping and had poor resolution. I get dead silence between the songs, in the lead in groove and dead wax, with no popping etc now. 
You will need an accurate protractor, (I use a mirror type for $20. You can pay a lot more for one. A paper protractor will not work) and scale.  Again VTA is so Important! TAKE TIME TO DO THAT. You’ll need to final adjust “by ear” as discussed on the S-S website. Don’t depend on the previous owner’s TT set-up for your new cart. EVERY cart is different. 
Please don’t give up yet. You will be richly rewarded using vinyl! Michael Lent