You don't said in with frequency range you have that feedback that could be generated because that resonance frequency value.
Now, your preamp has gain selections and for that cartridge you don't need more than 40db that understand is the lower position in your unit. Too much gain in the preamp can makes that the preamp goes to overloaded and even with the lower gain set up the preamp can be overloaded if thae cartridge output surpass the preamp overload margin.
Now, could be too that that cartridge and your VPI tonearm are not a well match but for me is dificult to say where is the problem.
Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.