Why does my system sound so shrill and distorted?

What do you have your equipment sitting on i.e rack? The differences there are very large.

Many of my analog concerns, including shrillness, disappeared when I put my turntable on a sandbox. So, I agree with headsnappin on the importance of the rack.

Do you have the stand that appears to be optional for your turntable?

I think I would look at cartridge set up first. If you know it is spot-on, then consider other areas, as already advised. What method do you use to achieve overhang and alignment?

Best of luck,
Dan

Thanks for the replies, I just recently purchased the this table/arm and just recently notice that I have twice as many anti-skate adjustments as I previously thought. The arm uses both the thread slots and the spaces, held in place by rubber O's, in between the grooves for anti skate adjustments, .25g per groove and I guess .125g if you count the spaces. This awareness has helped out a lot, sibilance and other vocal related things have cleaned up a good bit.

This arm apparently is incredibly sensitive to this, which consider the way the bearing it sits on can freely float from side to side isn't surprising.

The rack is all maple with two two inch platform and one 4inch on top with turntable. I have been wondering if that could be a little too thick, In my head that could cause less bass and sharper highs.

Ohnofiasco, have you experimented with cartridge loading. What you describe could be the result of too high a setting. If adjustable, lower it to the next lower setting and listen. If its better, lower it again until you find the best setting.

SRA/VTA could also be responsible.