Dead Can Dance New LP "into the labrynth"

I talked at length to the guys at Needle Doctor and Accoustic Sounds and both agreed it's an allignment issue. I'm only using a one point allignment that came with the Rega, which is minimal. Any thoughts on some inexpensive two point allignment protractors?? How about the Wally Tractor???

Rodman, Sorry I thought you were asking about the VTA, so my confusion came through. The VTF is 1.5 which is what Ortofon recommends for the 2M Black, but should I try heavier or lighter??

Actually; the range for your Black, is 1.4 to 1.7G, so- you can try .2 more VTF, without exceeding the recommendations. Further- the Shibata stylus is very sensitive to VTA and Rake Angle adjustments. Does your table's arm allow for those? I'd still suggest obtaining a test record, and judging the cart's performance or making adjustments, via the tracking test cuts(controlled and accurate).

Have you played that same track from a digital source to make sure it's your analog front-end?

I've listed to that track on many systems that have exhibited that distortion (on that track) you describe. I used to think the source of the issue was my front end. Then I used to think it was my speakers. After hearing that same distortion on multiple systems, I thought it was in inherent in the recording. With my current system, that distortion doesn't exist at all. So I'm at a loss.

My comments may not help you determine what is causing your issues, but hopefully it helps you determine what is not causing it.

I do have a CD copy and the distortion does not exist there, only on the analog LP. However, with that said, it appears on 3 different systems. I can adjust VTA with the Rega provided shims, but it fixed at 2mm per shim. I tried one, now I have 2 which raises the tonearm 4mm from the plinth. I have a pretty good magnifying lense that I use to visually look at the stylus and the rake angle seems to be tipped very slightly forward, not by much though. I've read where this is optimal for the 2M Black. The allignment is as perfect as I can achieve with both the Rega supplied protractor and the Geodisc I purchased.

I know I a being fanatical about this as this is the ONLY record in my entire collecion that has this issue, but it's driving me nuts. And I should clarify, it's very minimal, but audible enough to where I hear it and want to figure this out.

I really appreciate all the helpfull tips and welcome any additional tips.

I'm not giving up on this one!