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Vinyl and slurring S'es

I have been listening to a lot of vinyl for the past for months and have been considering a new turntable. But I have a question. I have noticed that when listening to my vinyl the s'es sound "slurred". I'm not really sure how to put it any other way. This is with new and/or older records. My question is; is it the recording? Do I have something set wrong on my turntable (anit-skating, ect)? Or is it my electronics. I don't notice this when listening to CDs. I have several on CD and vinyl and the CDs are crisp and clear. I have had two tables in my system in the past two weeks and both do it; a Denon 47F and a Basis 1400 w/300 arm. On both tables was a Grado Sonata cartridge. I am using a Black Cube running into a Classe CP60. The amp is a McIntosh MC300 and Thiel 3.6 speakers. I really prefer the sound the vinyl gives but those s'es can really make it fatiguing sometimes. Any insight someone can give on this matter would be appreciated.

Thank!
Tim
mitcheft
cpdunn99's avatar
cpdunn99
639 posts
 
I have noticed this with 180g vinyl discs. The slurred and hissing/rough S's are really annoying (e.g., Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited"). In fact, I hadn't played any for some time. Now, I am wondering if these discs require some modified VTA, stylus force, etc.

Anyone else have this problem and a solution? Thanks!
bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
agree that a VTA adjustment would be in order if you are previously optimized for standard thickness LP's. Be sure to note the ajdustment wheel location / measure / or mark your present VTA position on an index card before you change it, so that you can get it back there easily.
bear
141 posts
 
You won't believe this! But it's true. The problem is most likely the interconnects between the TT and the phono preamp!

Really.

I sell interconnects under my brand name BEAR Labs, so I do have an interest in this issue. Many times, I've demo'd the complete transformation of the "sibilance" from Lp to clear highs by merely switching in one of my interconnects and making no other changes.

The sibilance problem with Lp bothered me for many, many years, and I never found an adequate explanation. Then virtually by accident in the course of routinely changing out my interconnects when I first developed Silver Lightning I was really shocked to hear a lack of sibilance, and the appearance of nice smooth clear highs! I reproduced the improved sound at every audiophile's house I could find and was completely convinced, but surprised.

I still don't know exactly what the cause is, but there it is.

Regards,

_-_-bear

.
cpdunn99's avatar
cpdunn99
639 posts
 
I don't necessarily agree with Bear. There is no "most likely" scenario. Try everything else (VTA, stylus force, cartridge alignment, playing records on someone else's system, etc.) before handing over hard-earned cash.

And if it MIGHT be the cables/interconnects, then ask your friendly audio store (one that you do business with) if you can try some out. In fact, they might even give it a test run for you. With my table, it is a simple matter to change out cables because it is a DIN plug into the tonearm base. Pull out one, stick in the new.

Spending money is the last resort!
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Bear, I luve your style of advertizing your wires ha ha ha!!!
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