Is LP distortion the record or the cartridge?

The cartridge probably has about 2000 hours on it.
I am only getting that distortion on old and, probably, worn records

Sometimes you can get dust buildup on the stylus tip that is difficult to see and difficult to clean off. If the stylus has just a little dirt on it distortion will be present! But if you are careful you can remove it with a good stylus cleaner. Have you tried this?

I regularly clean the stylus with Audio Technica stylus fluid and its brush. I never hear this distortion on new LPs.

@atmasphere  What would you recommend as a "good stylus cleaner"?

Thank you,
Don

Hey all, not to sure about this, but it seems to me I read in the past, if one plays old worn out records this will wear / alter the new tip out faster than anything. I am sure those that know have a definitive answer for this comment.

Best,
Steve

Dear @mglik  : According with a research made years ago ( taking care to clean the stylus tip and LPs. ) a good stylus tip starts to show deteroration signs at around 500 hours of play and it will be safe and will performs as " new " till it has 1K hours of play, after that time the stylus tip  increment the " velocity " of its damages and after 1.5K is time to think that any time soon we have to think in a retip to fix it and impedes that that stylus tip increment its damage and more important the LP damage . Your cartridge has not 1.5K hours but 2K hours.

I already gave you my advise that even that you don't listen any kind of distortions with new LPs this with a 2K hours of play cartridge is making an irreversible damage to all what you play with it.

Is up to you, are your LPs not mine.

@no_regrets  one of the best stylus cleaner is the Lyra one that comes with the Lyra cartridges when you buy it but you can buy the cleaner alone.

R.