I have no experience with turntables over the last 25 years or so, so can't remember about them, but what keeps coming up in this thread is more voltage source to amp. Steve and atacgene both point this way, one suggesting a different cart, the other the Zstage.
The Zstage, CSP3, and the output transformers on Steve's DAC, all are adjustable and can easily add voltage to the source output. More quality voltage equals more power, weight and clarity. So increasing output makes sense, especially with very low output from the cartridge. Question becomes, is something wrong with the stylus, cart, wiring, connections of the TT, weakening the signal. Slurred voices do not make sense with a Torii if the signal is right.
Though improving cables, isolation, etc, are always important, seems to me your gear/cables are decent enough to give really good sound. And Steve has checked out the Torii and it should match well with the ERRs. (I guess you have played with the impedance switches to get the sound you like best?)
That your CD player "has balls" is your most clear pointer, giving strength to increasing TT signal voltage source to amp, or that there is something else wrong with the TT.
As an aside, the SP6 I had took longer than 600 hours to clarify and refine top and bottom....but the thing that keeps coming up for me, is the CD is OK and the TT not.
atacgene's idea of cranking the amp fully and using the pre for volume will be an interesting experiment.
Not knowing TTs I can't say, but is it possible the TT output is so weak that the ZP3/amp can't get enough signal??? Again, lack of clarity does not make sense with a Torii. Could the silly putty leave residue....could cleaning with it and abrasives have possibly misaligned the stylus or messed with stylus or cantilever connections....stylus weight...have you cleaned your connections lately....just wondering if there might be something weakening the signal related to the stylus/cart/arm/output connections or wires...the ICs?
Just for interest sake, if you have not cleaned connections lately, if you do it all from source to resistor/cap connections on the ERRs, cleaning and tightening.... I am always amazed when I remember to do this...like getting a better set of cables.
I feel for you, but since the CD is relatively good in the problem areas you are having with the TT, looks to me like you will figure it out!