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
Teo, so sorry. I must have woken up on the wrong side of the turntable. But many of your recommendations are “far out”, in my opinion. If you care to amplify, I’m curious.
I stopped plodding my way through the OP’s 4,000-word paragraph when he got to the part where he doesn’t bother aligning using the cantilever because it’s easier using the cartridge body. Bye, Felicia. 
There is no need to align to cantilever if it is parallel to the body. If your cantilever is that far off then maybe...but if that’s the case then you have a defective or poorly built cartridge and it should be returned. Plus it’s an eliptical stylus (hana), that would be far more important for a shibata or line contact. Most protractors with multi lined grids were designed for aligning the cartridge body. That is the predominant method to align it, unless it is of course that far off cantilever wise. Lastly, if you read or bothered to plod your way through my post, you would realize that 2 out of the three turntable/cartridge set ups are untouched by me, as they were set up by the manufacturer. So how did they align them? The fact remains that all three tables produce the sibilance in all the same areas of a specific recording. I could try 10 turntables and I guarantee they will all do the same...that is the whole point of my rant so to speak.
Too bad linear tracking isn't more "popular".....
My Beogram 4002 has zero sibilance issues.....unless the pressing isn't great. Also have a "modified" Technics SL-DL5 in my office system....zero sibilance from it as well.