tracking distortion on a p5 + rega cartridge?

Good to hear!

You will probably have to sight the cantilever of the cartridge using an alignment protractor.Not all cartridges are perfectly manufactured and cantilever alignment can quite often be out of true,this is one problem with Rega's system.I prefer to eyeball the cantilever and align that way rather than using the the body as it is more accurate.

Is this a digital or analog recording?Your bass sounds possibly too "fat" and your cymbals possibly "dull".This could be due to firstly an incorrect tracking weight and then the VTA would have to be adjusted accordingly.I don't think Rega's have VTA adjustment,but go to the Walker Audio site and you will see a link to fine-tuning your table,on the left.I don't think you would totally get rid of the noise but there is plenty of info about correct alignment,overhang,azimuth etc. for the Rega arm over at the Vinyl Asylum archives.

The point about the way a record "sounds" indicates something about the cartridge and issues it could be having.This is very subjective and you must use your ears very critically listening for the small things.With a good table like a Rega P5 you should look for every clue.You should worry about alignment and not accept the Rega method as the last word.Many prefer a Baerwald aligment over Rega's as it gets better results with distortion.The sound and surface noise you hear will change with the cartridge model and alignment system you use.Records themselves must be cleaned even before their first play.The manufacturing process leaves debris in the grooves and surface of a record,which acts as missiles on the groove walls destroying a record, if the record has not been thoroughly deep groove cleaned first.If you are doing this(cleaning) and there is distortion,claim a refund or new copy.Many complain today about damaged new pressings from various companies.You could also have a damaged stylus which chews up records,do not play anything if ALL your records are distorting and get a professional to check your set-up.

A good test for cartridge mistracking is to play the last track of a record and to assess how well a table is performing,but if you are noticing a change in distortion levels that is consistent,double-check your alignment.This can be laborious but there is no other way.I would be wary of the cartridge for the moment and not risk any further damage to your L.P's.Something is wrong.Make your sure cleaning methods are not the culprit-i.e double check everything.Too harsh cleaning can cause irreparable damage.Manufacturer's spec's it must be pointed out also are only a guide,things like required tracking force can change with the weather,if not a record.If you can try another cartridge(not necessarily a Rega)to see what happens.

Good luck with the new gear,it should work out.The Exact is a very good cartridge.I would also consider a really good record cleaning fluid like Disc Doctor,Gruv Glide or Last Record Preservative.For phagocytes i.e microscopic mould on records which is impossible to remove there is Vinyl-Zyme.I think Music Direct has a similar product as well.The unseen can lurk as well.

The problem is now if you have actually damaged any records and so don't use any new ones for testing,as the damage does not have a magical cure.If you have something you can use for testing by all means try to get your adjustments right.I would go to the Van Den Hul cartridges site and look for their phono faq which you can download.It is one of the best comprehensive intros around.Mr.Van Den Hul recommends contact oil to improve the cartridge/tonearm connection.I would be wary of getting contact cleaner on the cartridge as there are delicate parts that might be affected by aggressive chemicals.

Sorry to hear about this.Obviously to my mind you have alignment issues happening.Have you checked your azimuth and overhang to see if they are correct? You can check with a level if the Rega arm's face where it meets the cartridge is perfectly flat.

Yes I thought it was some kind of alignment problem,it's good to hear you got it identified.Rega are usally very good about replacement so you should be up and running in no time.