Yes old dirty worn out albums can be a problem. Please try and clean your albums. Look at your cartridge to see if you have gunk on the needle. Is the imbalance just on your old dirty albums?
I’m a fanatic about cleaning my albums. I have albums that are 50+ years old that sound very good, once cleaned.
I still think you have a problem with your balance control.
Recheck your cartridge alignment, over hang, azimuth and anti skate.
‘Don’t give up. You will eventually get it corrected.
‘Joe Nies