INNER GROOVE DISTORTION

Joey's problem is probably due to several factors conspiring against inner groove tracking.
It does appear people tend to underestimate the skating force. If you think you are going to counter it with twisted 24 gauge wire at the fulcrum of a 9 to 12 inch lever arm you might as well try to stop a car rolling down hill by standing in front of it. Defeat your anti skating device and try playing a blank side. I would suggest putting an old worn out cartridge in first. Play a record and gently defeat your anti skating device by lifting it up and watch carefully to what happens to the cantilever. It will deviate a millimeter or two to the outside as the stylus leans heavily on the left channel unloading the right channel. Play a Hi Fi News anti skating set up groove and listen to what happens to the distortion in the right channel when you defeat the anti skating device. I might further add that in regards to vinyl playback distortion = record wear. 
Simonmoon, I highly recommend getting the new 3D printed 12" gimbal tonearm with anti skating by VPI. I do think this would make more than a trivial improvement in your vinyl playback given your current situation.

Mike

Joey, please get the version with the gimbal bearings! More than likely your problem is lack of anti skating. It could also be poor set up, turntable not level, etc. What you are doing is guessing. Guessing is not the way to set up a turntable. To adjust anti skating correctly you need a test record. It will allow you to find the best compromise. I like the Hi Fi News Test Record. You have some great equipment. It would be silly to compromise the lot with poor set up. Just a few minutes with the test record will demonstrate to you why you need an anti skate devise. You will never go without one again. You will get better bass with the gimbal bearings.

Mike