Dead Can Dance New LP "into the labrynth"

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!

Update, I talked to Chad at Acoustic Sounds and he assured me it was a tracking issue due to the shibata stylus on the 2M Black.......BUMMER! According to Chad that stylus is so picky about tracking that it's nearly impossible to get it perfect on a Rega Arm without going insane. I do have a Rega Exact for a steal I am going to pick up and give it a shot just to prove to myself he is correct or not. I also have access to a Graham Slee Era gold V that I will be "borrowing" from a freind.

I will post my results by tomorow. Wish me luck!!!!

Alright guys and gals, I installed a new Rega Exact cart which has the 3 point allignment that locks you into a nearly perfect tracking angle and I still hear the same ever so slight distortion in the left channel only. Again, only on the parts of the song where Lisa really belts out a lyric. And I tried it with a Graham Slee Era Gold phono preamp, same situaion.

Could the vinyl be damaged due to mistracking with a shibata stylus on the 2M black??

I'm at a total loss.