Ok, it seems that I might have narrowed down my distortion/popping issue at peaks. It seems like it is mainly occuring through the left channel. Do you think that perhaps this could have something to do with the headshell? I used wires from another TT I have and it made no difference. Not really sure if cleaning something would make some kind of a difference. This is really pronounced on a few tracks on both of my Pat Metheny records as well as the first tracks on Dylan's "Freewheelin'" (which is in mono) on either side. Also, now that I think of it, the problem is with the first tracks on my Pat Metheny albums too. Hmmmmm...

Any advice?

EDIT:
Oh man, you know you have been studying too hard when you mix up your right and left. The distortion is coming through the right channel, not the left. Wow.

What do you have your anti-skate set for? I have heard that having the anti-skate set too high will produce distortion in the left channel, too low will produce distortion in the right.

Left channel distortion at the beginning of the record when skating force is lower--could be too high anti-skate.

Just a guess . . .

I think I will make a recording of exactly what the sound is and post it.

OK so yours comes through the left channel too...if it's not a wiring issue, I'd be interested to know what it is. I notice some of my records crackle in the left channel, albeit nowhere nearly as bad as the recording you posted. I guess just start testing your turntable's headshell wires, poke around them a bit, and switch the left and right RCA cables to your amp to make sure it's not internal to the amp.

Ahhhh I was really tired last night and I mixed up my Ps and Qs and lefts and rights (I actually was studying for a proof course in math and we listerally were dealing with P's and Q's). It is all coming through the right channel.

The recording had crackling in the right channel too.

Anyway, try wiggling the headshell wires and then try switching them.