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Killing sibilance distortion - VPI & Jubilee

Hello,

Along with what others have posted in the recent past, I also have a long running case of nasty distortion on sibilants with my vinyl playback. It is worse in the inner grooves.

To build on some other recent threads about this topic, I ordered a MFSL that is supposed to be a good test for mistracking. I have made a recording clip of my playback playing some of the last track on Side 2.

I have the recording on this link:

Playback Recording

If you take a look at that, we can all be on the same page with what exactly is going on.

The setup is a VPI Scoutmaster table, JMW9 sig arm, Ortofon Jubilee cartridge. The table is leveled on a Salamander Archetype rack. VTA is set with the arm parallel. VTF is set to 2.4g. Alignment is setup with the MINT arc protractor, 10x magnification. The VPI mechanical Anti-Skate is being used, with the lighter rubber washers. Azimuth is level by means of the "VPI straw trick" (a straw in a groove on the headshell).

Is there anyone that can point me in the right direction to fix that sibilance distortion you're hearing on the recording?

I've tried quite a few things, including different cartridges, and VTF, VTA and antiskate settings, but the sibilance is always there.

Here are some photos of my setup:

Cartridge Closeup

Aligning with the MINT

Thanks for reading
by Goatwuss
goatwuss
goatwuss OP
877 posts
 
Hi Doug - Just saw your comment before I posted!

I had been running with the built in phono stage in my Supratek Syrah preamp, and I actually bought another phono stage specifically to further this cause and make sure that it's not a phono stage problem that I'm running into.

My 2nd phono stage now is a PS Audio GCPH. Changing the phono stage unfortunately doesn't impact the sibilance. It's the same with both.
downunder
1,329 posts
 
Do you get the siblance from using the plain old VPI one point jig?

You need to ensure that the front VTA riser in the middle front of the jubille is under the VPI arm and parallel to the bottom of the headshell.
johnbrown
195 posts
 
In order of appearance:

a) verify that you've set the correct VTF

b) try using absolute minimum anti-skate. On my JMW 12.5, I don't use the 'mechanical' anti-skate: I simply set it so that when balanced, the arm *slowly* drifts to the outside. I mean *slowly*.

c) try aligning with the stock VPI jig

d) re-check your spindle to pivot measurement, and print out a conrad hoffman http://www.conradhoffman.com/chsw.htm protractor (if you've not used his site, be sure to actually 'read' the 'read me'). Though not as accurate in absolute terms as the Mint, it is easily good enough to verify that the dimensions of your Mint protractor are correct.

e) try another cart. It's always good to have a Denon DL-103 around for an emergency backup, for situations such as you're experiencing, and as a PDG cartridge in it's own right.

f) follow any directives given you by DD. And no, that's not a joke.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
Right you are, JohnBrown!

Dan
axelwahl
788 posts
 
Hi Goatwuss
>>> Does this still look to be too far forward in the head shell? <<<

YES!

I'm pretty certain it will be further in with the original VPI alignment.

Next!
Some of these type Ortofon’s have a propensity for the cantilever going out of centre (slightly) and to the left when viewed from the front.
It means (if the case) that the cart body can actually not be used for your Zenith alignment!
Try to turn the cart if straight = 6:00 to ~ 6:03 i.e. very slightly to the left from the point where the protractor would suggest it to be.
(That's where a Graham and it's alignment jig has far less of a problem, as you can see if the cantilever is slightly off)

Axel
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