Is LP distortion the record or the cartridge?

You can check again your cartridge alignment, whatever that would be and inspect the condition of your cartridge/cantilever/stylus. Complience matching would not have such severe effects.
Changing a cartridge would not remedy this if an alignment is not performed correctly.

G

Yes, the Atlas is a great cartridge. You either have a tracking problem or  a worn record problem. Miss-tracking can really chew up vinyl.
On a record you know has the problem try increasing the VTF to max and add a little antiskating. If it sails through without distortion then it is a tracking problem and the Atlas in a Tri Planar will fix it. If you hear the same distortion than you most likely have a worn record problem. Clipping phono stages can also do this but I have a hard time believing the Shalabi would do that. What phono stage are you using?

Cartridge alignment is paramount.


If the LPs are damaged, there won't be anything you can do.

Sorry to report, distortion and mistracking are the bane of the vinyl universe. If possible, drag the turntable to a reputable dealer/tech and have them set it up. Or have 'em come by! If you decide to do it yourself, don't drink too much coffee before you attempt your own adjustments, You don't wanna have the shakes. And attach suitable magnifying lenses to your eyeballs.

I really only noticed this distortion after inserting my new Atma-Sphere MP-1. Could its sensitivity be part of the cause?
But my records are old and were played on a not so good TT before...
I did get Tri to help me on the phone with set up. Assume it is good.