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what causes the sss in words like 'thisss'?

I run apple lossless codec -> airport express -> recently purchased musical fidelity x-dac & tube buffer -> rotel 1056 receiver -> Quad 22L floorstanding speakers . I have also tried a cheap cd player source but no luck.

So what causes those annoying sss sounds in words? Source? Amp? interconnect? I'm considering returning the musical fidelity stuff and spring for a naim CD5 and nait 5i combo. Thoughts?
Ag insider logo xs@2xmonstachuck
bignerd100
515 posts
 
Posssibly room reflections. If there are lots of hard surfaces to the sides and rear of your speakers you may need some treatments to prevent reflections too close in phase to the leading sounds. Nothing fancy just try hanging a decorative rug or favorite crushed velvet painting of Elvis near the speakers.
stehno
1,453 posts
 
It's called negative sibilance and it's almost solely a result of dirty AC from the street coming to your home. Dirty AC can also come from your appliances, dimmers, and your digital dac or cdp.

However, proper line conditioning can fully resolve this issue and more.

-IMO
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monstachuck OP
5 posts
 
This weekend I got a naim-recommended power strip - the wiremold L10320 - http://www.naimusa.com/2004_site/html/power.html

Is there a power conditioner you'd recommend instead?
misterx0d62
1 posts
 
Congrats, you have a great system. I noticed the same thing with mp3 sources. I think its a poor source coupled with high resolution playback where you have no high frequency rolloff.
stehno
1,453 posts
 
Sorry, I forgot to mention that proper line conditioning can only rectify the negative sibilance induced from dirty AC.

Obviously it cannot eliminate negative sibilance permanently recorded into the medium.

-IMO
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