kosst,
You see - all forms of distortion start off as phase shift or timing issues."
WRONG. Just because a distortion wave form appears slightly phase shifted from the fundamental does not mean that the phase shift causes it.
I'm amazed every time I mention something you seem to see it from the wrong angle or something. I'm not trying to be difficult but let me clarify what I mean.
in particular..
...does not mean that the phase shift causes it.
Just the opposite - the distortion caused the phase shift - not the other way around.
When I say I'm tightly monitoring the phase of the fundamental - I am watching for the first sign that something has gone wrong.
That is the canary in the coal mine. By stopping the phase shift - you have cut off any means of generating harmonics.