Vinyl distortion - What's the problem?

The procedures suggested above will probably identify your culprit, but if not, you should also try to rule out any possible problem with the electronics/cables chain the TT is feeding (I'll assume you have already ascertained that the problem is not present on any other source besides phono).

You can do this be reversing the leads coming from the TT at the input to the phono preamp. If you reverse the leads, and the problem remains in the same channel, then your distortion is originating somewhere between your phono inputs and your preamp outputs.

However, if you try this and the problem switches channels, but nothing suggested above has helped, then suspect something in the lead-out cables or jacks themselves, with the jacks being the most likely.

As you've already tried switching channels, as Zaike suggests, it's probably either: a) the electrical connection in the cartridge-to-phono chain (have you checked the pins on the cartridge?) b) a problem with the cartridge. So, Twl has a point -- if not, then it could be a problem with the coils. (I hope not). Good luck!

You caught me, Greg, thanx. Sorry, it's too late at night! My last paragraph still stands, however.

All the previous posts had good advice. The only thing I would add is to check the cable. Is it worn or in need of replacement? Is it attached securely?

Thanks for all the input. I adjusted the "bias" slider (is this the same thing as anti-skating?) as suggested by Newbee to be around .75-1 units instead of the 1.5 to match the tracking force as recommended by Rega. Seems to have helped a lot. Occasionally, there still seems to be a little distortion as the arm gets onto the inner part of the record, but I'll try to tweak my alignment to see if I can eliminate that.