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Vinyl and slurring S'es

I have been listening to a lot of vinyl for the past for months and have been considering a new turntable. But I have a question. I have noticed that when listening to my vinyl the s'es sound "slurred". I'm not really sure how to put it any other way. This is with new and/or older records. My question is; is it the recording? Do I have something set wrong on my turntable (anit-skating, ect)? Or is it my electronics. I don't notice this when listening to CDs. I have several on CD and vinyl and the CDs are crisp and clear. I have had two tables in my system in the past two weeks and both do it; a Denon 47F and a Basis 1400 w/300 arm. On both tables was a Grado Sonata cartridge. I am using a Black Cube running into a Classe CP60. The amp is a McIntosh MC300 and Thiel 3.6 speakers. I really prefer the sound the vinyl gives but those s'es can really make it fatiguing sometimes. Any insight someone can give on this matter would be appreciated.

Thank!
Tim
mitcheft
cpdunn99's avatar
cpdunn99
639 posts
 
I don't necessarily agree with Bear. There is no "most likely" scenario. Try everything else (VTA, stylus force, cartridge alignment, playing records on someone else's system, etc.) before handing over hard-earned cash.

And if it MIGHT be the cables/interconnects, then ask your friendly audio store (one that you do business with) if you can try some out. In fact, they might even give it a test run for you. With my table, it is a simple matter to change out cables because it is a DIN plug into the tonearm base. Pull out one, stick in the new.

Spending money is the last resort!
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Bear, I luve your style of advertizing your wires ha ha ha!!!
twl
3,251 posts
 
I don't have anything special in the way of phono cables, and my highs are crisp and clean as a brand new dollar bill. Not even the slightest hint of sibilance. And I don't think any masking is going on with a quality tube preamp, OTL amp, and 100db efficient Lowthers.
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
It sounds like a set-up issue. I'm in the process of moving or I would be able to tell you what Robert Harley and/or Laura Dearborn have to say about this. I think it is an alignment or overhang issue, but if you can, go to Barnes and Noble and see if either of the books I mentioned are available. I have found both of them to be very helpful.
bear
141 posts
 
Marakenetz, it's not an ad! It's true. Been there and done that too many times now. I agree that it is important and even critical to set up the arm, and the tracking exactly right.

It's also a good idea to take a 10x eye loupe and inspect your stylus. That black stuff caked onto the diamond is vinyl. Remove it. It's amazing how dirty the stylus can look when you can *see it*!

But after that is all done, and everything else checks out - then when I have switched cables to my Silver Lightning, everything cleared up and the slurred sibilance resolved itself into clean clear highs.

You ask how and why? I really do not have a scientific explanation for the obvious result. One factor *might* be the low capacitance of my design, but I do not think that is all there is to it, since other low capacitance cable does not always do the trick. But, you can try it for yourself and decide! Very little to lose.
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