Pass XP-17 + MM carts “clip/distort” on peaks, but low-output Paua II is fine — Overload?

Hi everyone — I’m trying to troubleshoot a phono issue and would love advice from folks who’ve run a Pass XP-17 with high-output moving magnet carts.

Setup

• Turntable: Technics SL-1200GR2
• Phono stage: Pass Labs XP-17
• Integrated amp: Pass Labs INT-60
• Speakers: Volti Razz

Cartridges tested

• Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 (MM, ~5 mV output)
• Sumiko Olympia (MM, ~4 mV output )
• Soundsmith Paua II (very low output, spec is around 0.4 mV)

Problem
With the Ortofon LVB and the Sumiko MM, I get what sounds like clipping/overload (severe distortion + occasional “popping” type artifacts) specifically on high energy / dense musical peaks. It’s not subtle.  On quiet/soft passages it sounds very good.  The Sumiko plays much better but still has the problem a few times on each track.

But with the Paua II, everything plays cleanly — no clipping/distortion on the same passages.

What I’ve tried

• Verified this happens at the lowest gain setting I can select on the XP-17.
• Tried RCA outputs from the XP-17 (still happens).
• Same system, same records, same volume range.
• Switched to Sutherland KC Vibe MkII phono preamp and everything works great with all three cartridges.

Why I think it’s overload (not mistracking)

• Two different MM cartridges behave similarly (LVB + Sumiko).
• The low-output Paua II behaves perfectly.
• The distortion feels like “headroom running out,” not subtle sibilance or inner-groove distortion.
• KC Vibe sounds perfect.

Questions

1. Has anyone experienced XP-17 output overdriving the INT-60 line input stage with high-output MMs?
2. Any known best practices for XP-17 + high-output MM into INT-60? (Pads/attenuators? Use RCA vs XLR? Any preferred gain strategy?)
3. Is there a way to confirm whether this is clipping inside the XP-17 vs overloading the INT-60 input stage?

I’m happy to post XP-17 DIP settings (gain/loading/capacitance), cable lengths, and INT-60 input used if that helps. I’d really like to keep using the Ortofon LVB with the XP-17 if possible.

Thanks in advance — any troubleshooting ideas welcome.