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Killing sibilance distortion - VPI & Jubilee

Hello,

Along with what others have posted in the recent past, I also have a long running case of nasty distortion on sibilants with my vinyl playback. It is worse in the inner grooves.

To build on some other recent threads about this topic, I ordered a MFSL that is supposed to be a good test for mistracking. I have made a recording clip of my playback playing some of the last track on Side 2.

I have the recording on this link:

Playback Recording

If you take a look at that, we can all be on the same page with what exactly is going on.

The setup is a VPI Scoutmaster table, JMW9 sig arm, Ortofon Jubilee cartridge. The table is leveled on a Salamander Archetype rack. VTA is set with the arm parallel. VTF is set to 2.4g. Alignment is setup with the MINT arc protractor, 10x magnification. The VPI mechanical Anti-Skate is being used, with the lighter rubber washers. Azimuth is level by means of the "VPI straw trick" (a straw in a groove on the headshell).

Is there anyone that can point me in the right direction to fix that sibilance distortion you're hearing on the recording?

I've tried quite a few things, including different cartridges, and VTF, VTA and antiskate settings, but the sibilance is always there.

Here are some photos of my setup:

Cartridge Closeup

Aligning with the MINT

Thanks for reading
by Goatwuss
goatwuss
axelwahl
788 posts
 
Hi Goatwuss.
one more thing for you to know here: That track in one of Dougdeacon's **specials** (there are of course some even more critical ones in his arsenal. I have one, SXL 2248).

He says it took him years and $$$$ to get it COMPLETELY sorted,so take courage!
If you get that one right, you'll have climbed one 'analogue mountain' :-)
Axel
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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
Hi, I only have one comment that may, or may not, be helpful. I have found through personal experience, that a critical factor in getting things right with the MintLP, is to ensure the end of the cartridge body is aligned perfectly perpendicular to the headshell. In other words, like crossing a "tee". You can get some parameters right with this off by a bit, but you can never get it good enough.

I will add that it sounds wonderful, other than the sibilance. I think, though, that the track in question should be trackable, the sibilance doesn't seem as extreme as some that gives me trouble yet. As Axel said, take heart, but I think this is what makes analog fun, you don't just push a button and have perfect sound forever, you have to work at it, with persistance, (and $$$$), to get where you want to be!

Good luck, and keep up the good work,
Dan
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
I've tried quite a few things, including different cartridges, and VTF, VTA and antiskate settings, but the sibilance is always there.
Sounds like a clue to me. Let's apply Occam's razor...

With all you've tried, why are you still assuming the problem's with your vinyl rig? You've changed virtually everything possible yet the problem persists. Time for a new approach.

What phono stage are you using? Have you considered the very real possiblity that it's unable to resolve the challenges presented by tracks like this?

I've personally only heard three phono stages that handle tracks like this with real clarity (I expect there are others, I just haven't heard them.) OTOH, I've heard dozens that can't avoid distortions when the source material gets really challenging, no matter how much time, money and effort you expend on the front end.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
One more thought: try increasing the space between the wires coming from the cartridge clips as much as possible. Spread them as far apart as you can without dragging on the record surface.

Probably won't help with the sibilance problem, but may lower the noise floor a bit.
goatwuss OP
877 posts
 
Here is a fresh picture of where the cartridge is mounted in the headshell (post alignment):

cartridge pic

Does this still look to be too far forward in the headshell?

Islandman - Thanks for the comment. As far as I can tell by eye, the cartridge looks to be perpendicular to the headshell as you describe.

I agree that the sound is pretty decent aside from the sibilance!
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