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I'm putting to rest worrying about sibilance

I just ran a test on three different turntables I own. I played various recordings, each of which exhibit sibilance to some degree, mostly female vocalists. The three tables are pro-ject the classic with the hana el, music hall mmf7 with factory mounted eroica h, and my brand new thorens td 240-2 with the ortofon om10 also factory installed. My dilemma began with constant worrying about the first table (the pro-ject) as I thought I was hearing a bit of sibilance only on certain records. So I played the very same records, mostly used from thrifts etc, on all three tables and adjusting volume or gain for each. Well, I found that all three table and cartridge combinations exhibit the sibilance in the same parts of songs on each recording. My findings are that what I perceive as higher sibilance on the hana can be contributed to its (imo) better high frequency response. In other words, the other tables and cartridges had the sibilance, but to a lesser prominence, but it WAS there. So my conclusion is that it Is just inherent in the lp medium to some degree, and more so with used records. I have farted around enough with the hana el and I am no longer going to fret over it. I would have a hard time believing that all three tables and cartridges are that badly aligned etc to all cause some sibilance here and there. All three were checked and seem to be dead on. The only table I personally installed cartridge on was the pro- ject (hana el) also, three preamps were tried during testing, my marantz pm14s1 built in, a musical fidelity lx lps, and a pro-ject tube box ds2. Lastly the hana el was adjusted when installed to align with the cartridge body and not the cantilever (just easier imo) using a proper protractor, and the vta was adjusted so that the hana is a bit ass down, as I think the hana sounds right like that. So there is my conclusion. I’ve been reading forum after forum about the sibilance issue somehave, but I think I feel better after doing what I did as described above, and refuse to drive my self nuts any longer!😁
Just to add, the listening was first performed on the other 2 tables, the mmf7 and thorens, again both have factory installed cartridges, also checked by me. In doing so I ruled out the hana inscribing the record grooves with the sibilance in the event its mis aligned, which it is not....
128x128audioguy85
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85 OP
2,001 posts
 
From my reading of all the responses, I’ve come to the conclusion that their are generally three camps here...the 1st agree that yes, if the pressing is bad or the record is worn then no there is not much to be done about it. The 2nd feels that it can be lessened or be made to sound less noticeable with maybe a different phono amp and or a better cartridge ie a line contact. The 3rd state that their hi res systems produce zero sibilance in all cases and that they have somehow weeded every last iota of sibilance from their set ups....ugh my aching head...hahaha
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,474 posts
 
Not sure why you are spreading youself so horizontally. Anyhow, it seems all is well except for a few worn or poorly pressed LPs. 
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85 OP
2,001 posts
 
I guess I’m just airing out my frustrations on a public forum concerning this battle with something that may never be totally resolved 100%.... any how I feel a bit better laying it out there, whether that be horizontally or vertically lol. One issue is that once you hear it or experience it, you then listen for it (sibilance) on everything you play! It's like you become obsessed with it and then fail to just enjoy your music...
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,474 posts
 
That's what happens when you're listening to the system instead of the music because something is amiss. Sell all of it and start again. 
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85 OP
2,001 posts
 
Lol I dont think so....there is nothing wrong with my system as most records sound great. There are a Few bad pressings as you previously agreed is the issue. The three turntables all like new, if not new, all verify that it's the pressing and not my system. Soon I will test my 4th turntable....as u suggested, I took my amp out of the equation and used my headphone amp to have a listen and with three different pairs of headphones and three different turntables and 3 different phono preamps, still there. So I am doubting that my qed silver anniversary bi wire cables are the issue if they were not even being used in this particular test, neither was the marantz amp. I used a musical fidelity preamp, a Graham slee amp 2 se, and project tube box ds......so unless every component In my system is somehow defective or something, which is impossible, then it is just the pressing(s).
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