Crackling distortion

I used the Hi-FI News Analogue Test Lp which has three 300hz tones L+R +15db on side two. The first test band is the first track on side 2, the second band is in the middle and the third is the last track of the side.
These were the tracks that allowed my ears to zero in and minimize tracking distortion. I don't think I could have done it without them. Everything else was a guess before I realized how to take advantage of the tones and their position on the record.
In addition to the test record, the package also includes an alignment gauge and instructions.
I don't think I've set up "dozens of cartridges"
in my lifetime, but I have probably made thousands of adjustments, usually decreasing distortion in one area only to increase it in another.
I didn't use the record to set up or align my cartridge, I only used it to check my work and fine tune the anti skate and lateral balance weights. It was very helpful having the same tone repeated throughout the side. I don't feel as though the alignment has been optimized for one area at the expense of another.
Some people think Test Records are a waste of money that provide a false sense of security. I disagree. A well designed test record simply provides a reference tone. How it gets used is another matter.

These were the tracks that allowed my ears to zero in and minimize tracking distortion. I don't think I could have done it without them. Everything else was a guess before I realized how to take advantage of the tones and their position on the record.

Now that's a good use of test tracks. You didn't just blindly treat them as some "test" to be "passed". You used them to understand and optimize the behavior of the stylus in the groove, balancing one adjustment against another.

My "test records are useless" posts are indeed strongly worded. Too many vinyl-philes treat test tracks as gospels rather than as diagnostic tools. To improve our setup/adjustment skills we must abandon slavish devotions in favor of listening and thinking, as you have. My hyperbole is meant to inspire that fundamental change in attitude.

You understand this already so you're right to question such blanket statements. You've advanced beyond them.

Now try this: having heard and understood just how your cartridge behaves across those test tracks, try making the same fine adjustments while listening to music. Your results will probably differ from the test record. There's a high probability that (slightly) reducing VTF and anti-skating from what's optimal on the test tracks will result in better sound on most records.

With a little practice you may find yourself listening to music one day and saying, quite willy-nilly but with considerable confidence, "That VTF (or SRA, or anti-skating) needs to go down (or up) a skosh for this record". Then you too can retire the test record and post like some annoying curmudgeon!

"Now try this: having heard and understood just how your cartridge behaves across those test tracks, try making the same fine adjustments while listening to music. Your results will probably differ from the test record. There's a high probability that (slightly) reducing VTF and anti-skating from what's optimal on the test tracks will result in better sound on most records."

Maybe so, but I'm afraid to mess with success. I pretty much did all that (VTF, A/S, alignment) before using the test record to "trim" the distortion in the sound and music out.
If I were to change the VTF, I would most certainly have to change some other parameters as well, and it was such a pain. I haven't heard any problems yet so I'm going to leave things as they are for the time being.

Honestly, I love the way it sounds.

Honestly, I love the way it sounds.

Then you're done!

And now I appreciate why folks mount two tone arms on their tables and don't bother with detachable headshells.