Hear sibilance on Krall, Famous Blue, D. Fagen?

"I am currently breaking in a new pair of speakers. I'm not getting more specific on make and model because this is from a small manufacturer and I am sensitive to not putting negative comments on the Internet that may have more to do with my ears and system than the product itself. Also, they're not fully broken in yet and I'm still futzing around with the positioning."

I understand your desire to not post negative comments on the speaker. But setup issues are not negative comments. Everyone has occasional issues setting their equipment up, and every piece of audio equipment ever made is prone to having some issues. If anything, its helpful to do this, because if there is an issue, someone else will have the same problem. If you find a solution and share it, that info will probably help someone in the future.

Rebbi,
I would try the Signal Cable power cord on the Music Hall cd25.2 CDP first, even if you are using it as a transport only.

What are you using for a digital cable from the Music Hall cd25.2 to the DAC? I assume it is at least 1.5 meters long.
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If subtle and only occurs in 2-3 recordings out of many, its most likely some artifact of the recording, either natural in the voices recorded and/or artificial due to defects or dirt on the record or CD. Most commercial recordings are not perfect and unpleasant artifacts can sneak in on occasion for sure.

How do cymbals and violins sound?

Rebbi,

Sibilance is a manner of articulation of fricative and affricate consonants, made by directing a stream of air with the tongue towards the sharp edge of the teeth, which are held close together; a consonant that uses sibilance may be called a sibilant, or a strident.

Wikipedia

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I hadn't listened to Warnes' "Famous Blue Raincoat" for a while So I did so today as well Krall's, "When I look In Your Eyes".

As for "Famous Blue Raincoat", "First We Take Manhattan", Warnes voice sounds smooth and warm. No edginess heard on my cd. My CD was made in 1991 under the "Private Music inc." label distributed by BMG.

Krall's "When I Look In Your Eyes", "Let's Face The Music And Dance". On that track in particular Krall drags out some of the words like it's her last breath. Especially the words, dance, music, romance, and chance. I guess I just never noticed it before. I think the mike used and the closeness to her mouth with the way see pronounced her words brings out the sss and zzzs but in no way, at least on my system, is her voice irritating or the sibilance over exaggerated. Because sibilance was what I focusing on while listening to the CD I found myself listening to her every word, yes, s and zs, but again not exaggerated and not irritating to listen to. I think she deliberately wanted the song to sound the way it does. Listen to the track again and see if she doesn't stretch, lengthen, certain words out. Especially the words dance, music, romance, and chance.
Let's Face The Music And Dance video.

I am not sure you won’t find a hint of sibilance in any female voice if closely listening to every word spoken with the letter sound of s or z in it. The question is are the "sibilance" exaggerated in the recording to the point where they are irritating to the listener or is the over exaggeration of "sibilance" caused by the audio system?

I ran across an old CD I use to take with me when auditioning audio equipment at a B&M audio dealerships.
The CD is by Alison Krauss, "Now That I've Found You".
Krauss' voice should sound sweet, not harsh or edgy.
That was not the case on some digital equipment or speakers I listened to.
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Jea,

Thank you, and very interesting, indeed!

I listened to the track again today. All is well until she gets to the word "soon [we'll be without the moon…]." The letter "S" in the word "soon" is very strident. I'm not sure why.