Why do my albums sound better at the end???

My thoughts tend to run in the same direction that SF and Viridian have already voiced.

Out of curiosity though, are you using a record clamp ? What type of platter mat are you using ? Sean
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If your cartridge is properly aligned, then your anti-skate may be mis-calibrated. Consider getting the HFNRR Test Record. It will walk you through many of these issues with your ears as the arbitror.

Herman, sometimes, if you have a TT that comes without an arm, and an arm was installed on it, the pivot-to-spindle distance is not adjusted correctly. Thus, if you used a single-point cartridge alignment guage, you would not know about this. The result would be cart misalignment in areas other than where the alignment guage was set. The way to do this is to consult the arm manual for the proper spindle-to-pivot distance and check it with a ruler. It doesn't have to be very far off to cause problems. Also, use a 2-point cartridge alignment guage for making the most accurate cartridge alignment. The 2-point guage will also show you if the spindle-to-pivot distance is wrong, because you wouldn't be able to get 2-point alignment if it is off.

Herman;
Please tell us what kind of table, what kind of arm, what cartridge, and if you know, what stylas shape/type (elliptacal, line contact, etc.)

It is a Wilson Benesch Act 2 table and arm with an Analog cartridge. I set the alignment with the tool that came with the table and compared to a Geodisc, and several 2 point protractors and all seems OK. I used a Stereo Review disc to set antiskating the HFN&RR disc with a voltmeter to set the azimuth a la Michael Fremmer. The speed has been checked with a K&B strobe and the tracking force set with a Winds gauge. It has a nude elliptic stylus. Whatever that means.

I was just thinking that someone may have seen this before and could say something like "oh yeah, that means your cartridge is twisted slightly this way or that" or "that means the antiskate is too high or low". I'll check it all again. All ideas are appreciated.