Cartridge too close to the vinyl surface problem

Just bought a brand new Ortofon 2m blue for an Audio Technica AT-LP120.

I've aligned the cart, set the tracking weight correctly to 1.8g, all the usual things.

For some reason, the cart is very close to the vinyl surface.
My guess is between 1/2 a mm and 3/4 of a mm.
It sounds clear but I'm getting an almost fluttery sound in places (not dis-similar to tape drop outs).

What am I doing wrong? Any ideas?
Or do I have a dodgy cart?

 

If the cart is mounted properly, Id be more inclined to think it's a defective needle (bent), or perhaps the tracking weight is too heavy and needs to be adjusted.

 

I've got it set to 1.8g as recommended in the booklet that came with it.
I've double checked everything I've done, it's aligned fine.

One other thing I forgot to mention.
I've got a test record with a blank groove and I cannot get the anti skate set. My previous carts did fine.

 

The sus on your stylus is shot; return.

 

When you drop the needle, check to see how much it deflects. Does it deflect a lot as it touches down? If so, I would investigate why.

 

It deflects by about half.

 

Waxfreak nailed it. Sometimes the suspension can fail and the results are just what you seem to be experiencing.

 

I've contacted the seller and they're going to take it back, check it over and send a replacement.

 

Did you balance the arm to zero before setting the weight to 1.8 grams ? Just asking ? Did you use a scale to verify your true tracking weight?

 

I did indeed.
And I double checked everything to make sure I hadn't made an obvious mistake.
My first thought is always "what have I done wrong?".

 

So how long have you been married?

 

Never married. That's the "one" thing I've got right!

 

the 2m line does run real low - normally....I thought it was too low myself when I had them, but that was how they role!

 

Believe it or not it still looks lower than the ones in the pics, and I'm getting that weird drop put type sound and it wont set with anti-skate.
I had a 2m blue before and never had these problem. It's very odd indeed.

 

I had a Ortofon 2m Red on a Audio Technica AT-LP120 was never very happy with the sound was very close to the vinyl made a scraping noise
took the cartridge off and the thing fell apart - never using Ortofon 2m again