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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
vusi_khumalo
72 posts
 
Goatwuss, hopefully this note finds you well and with resolution to you problem.
I recently found a fix to this problem on my TT from an unexpected source. I run a Goldmund Studio with an SME V, a mod, in place of the std. T3 arm. In short, I suspect the supplied SME protractor from my early vintage arm to be incorrect somewhat. Basically a friend loaned me his SME 30/2 with Phanton arm for a month and I noticed how even with a naked eye his arm had a more aggressive alingment angle compared to my setup. So I copied and applied that setup to mine and the problem was gone! Secondly, not sure if you arm is one of those where the tonearm cable comes out on top of the "hub", those are usually "coiled" and the cable gets a bit of tension towards the inner tracks, and it adds to your Anti-Skate as it tries to "uncoil" itself. Not sure if this makes sense to you? Goodluck in your quest!
shaizada
24 posts
 
How funny...I have the EXACT SAME problem with the exact same Alison Krauss MFSL LP. I also have a VPI....its a VPI TNT-V Hot Rod with the HRX Dual Motor and HRX Acrylic platter. I'm using a Clearaudio Accurate cartridge. I have the same inner groove distortion problem. My table was setup by Brooks Berdan here in Southern California.

It is very obvious on some LPs and it's pretty much fine on others...so I don't know anymore. I've contacted Clearaudio to get their recommendations about this. So...I'm chasing the same gremlins myself. Hopefully this thread will help as it develops further. I'll definitely post if things improve on my end.
axelwahl
788 posts
 
One thing to mention: I just had my FIRST cart that would track this dang cut --- a Shure V15 III, B U T with an SAS (after-market) stylus.
My brand new Windfeld still doesn't track those sibilants and neither does ANY of a handful of other MM and MI carts. That SAS stylus seems to be one of THE hottest (sharpest) around, and my current thinking is, that it can only be tracked successfully by this type of stylus. YMMV
Axel
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Agreed. Stylus contact radius is a factor in meeting challenges like this.

You can't accurately trace short wavelength, high amplitude modulations with a stylus that's fatter than the modulations themselves. You also can't do fast laps around the Nurburgring in a tractor-trailer, at least not without whacking some of the pylons and carving up the grass.
axelwahl
788 posts
 
Hi Doug,
please would you be able to give us an idea about some other carts that would qualify, having the type of 'hot' stylus as the one I mentioned.

I have to add, that the V15 III with SAS stylus is riding a bit too low for my SME V arm and I'm currently waiting to receive an SME arm shim so I can lower the SRA without lifting the stylus out of the last LP band.
Currently the SAS stylus is *extremely well* resolved but just a bit too hot for my taste, but as I mentioned the only cart this far that will track the sibilants of A.K. side 2, last band of 'so long so wrong.

Greetings,
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