Update on my TT causing distortion at higher volume

@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.) 

@lewm Very good advice. I am into the technical details on things I work on (Old Colt firearms) and my music. Math major and IT field most of my life. I like details and I like projects coming together.

What made me think you just might be running your MM into the MC inputs of your phono is your mentioning that the volume jumped way up when you first auditioned the MM cartridge, after having listened to your MC.  That suggested to me you might have connected the Ortofon to MC inputs.  Otherwise, the signal output from your phono stage, for an MM connected to the MM inputs vs for an MC of proper output connected to the MC inputs, ought to be about the same, in terms of the resulting SPL for a given setting of the attenuator on your linestage.