Sylvania Exponent 4/40 Sound Issues

[cooljer]

Yes, the cartridge/needle was a ceramic setup when I got it. Thinking that this was the problem for the distorted sound I purchased a new ceramic combo and got the same results.
This is a early model for the Exponent (1965?). The model number is 4/40-0. The Photofacts show a Astatic ceramic replacement part#. I seen other post that magnetic came along in 1966/67 with model 4/40-2.