Update on my TT causing distortion at higher volume

Since the SLP05 is a linestage, I have to wonder what you’re using for a phono stage. Could it be that you’re driving a high gain MC phono stage with an MM cartridge (the Ortofon Red)? This would inevitably overload such a phono stage and cause the objectionable distortion you describe. If not, then you just need a better cartridge, and that’s not hard to achieve, given your present starting point.

@ghdprentice I have "the bug" right now; then back to reality: I want an MM and a MC to see if I can tell the difference. Then I will feel a bit more educated. 

My original Legacy MC that came with the TT got trashed; somehow. which sent me down this road of diagnosing what happened. 

So during this adventure I decided to upgrade my phonostage from the Musical Fidelity M1 to the Eglo. So I will have a backup phono stage. So maybe I am being foolish but I am having fun. Right? That counts, right?

@cinqcepages you're also doing at least basic calibration when you install the cartridge on your tonearm? Failure to calibrate may be why you find the 2M Red fatiguing since that's generally not the case for that cartridge. Which is why it can be a bit annoying to switch between cartridges frequently instead of just getting one really good one and sticking with it.

First, by owning and listening to one MC cartridge and one MM cartridge, you will not learn "the difference" between MM and MC. You will only learn the difference between the two particular cartridges.

Second, according to the internet, the E-glo has provision for both MM and MC types. Just be sure you have connected your Ortofon MM into the MM inputs. If so, then check the capacitance loading which is adjustable on your E-glo. You guesstimate total capacitance load by adding the capacitance of your phono cables to the inherent apacitance of the phono input and the added load capacitance at the phono stage (which is the adjustable parameter on your E=glo). If the total capacitance is much different from recommended for your cartridge, that too can cause distortion. Load resistance should be 47K ohms or higher.

@nekoaudio I am using the Pro-Ject Align it.

I took my time.

And I have a Stylus Force Gauge. I first got the tonearm to "float" then zeroed. Then dialed in the proper weight for the cartridge. Then I verified and made a minor adjustment after using the gauge.

I work on guns and am used to patient / take my time work. I know that shoddy work could have bad results. But I know how to have fun as well. So I am having fun.

Am I making practical sense? maybe not. But I am having fun. (I am slowly becoming crippled due to pinching nerves at the L5 / S1. So working on guns and working on my music is all I have now.)