How do I smooth out violins?

"Trying to find recordings that sound good with your system does`nt make sense". It makes plenty of sense.How can you judge the sound quality and characteristics of your system without using a known recording to evaluate its reproduction and possible deviations?

Improving the quality of AC power is`nt a "band aid" but is fundamental and all components benefit from better electricity quality.Immediately jumping in and changing compenets is`nt addressing the root cause. A good recording of massed strings needs to be listened to in order to determine if the problem is simply source material(bad recording causing the harshness) or a component it self.
Regards,

Correct....it's mostly the preamp. A Manley Shrimp or Jumbo would definitively help. Love the Spendors and McCormick, Marantz could be better, AQ Type 4 is a bit thin, AQ Type 6 is warmer. Signal Cable is really good stuff for the money.

I second Frogman's very well put comments, as well as the recording-related comments by Rok2id, Mapman, Charles1dad, and Opus88.

If you don't feel certain at this point as to the degree to which the problem may be the result of deficiencies in the recordings, such as heavy multi-miking and excessive processing, my suggestion is that you can resolve all doubt by investing in a copy of Chesky CD31, featuring Dvorak's "New World Symphony," Jascha Horenstein conducting the Royal Philharmonic.

It is unfortunately out of print, but is available from various sellers at highish prices. It is the best sounding CD of a symphony I have ever heard (although most of the orchestral recordings in my collection are on vinyl), notwithstanding the fact that it was recorded in 1962. Great music and a fabulous performance as well!

Regards,
-- Al

Try the Millennium Carbon Fiber CD mat. Really helps to smooth out upper frequencies and improve overall performance.

Power conditioning is a practical first step to consider because if done right, ie a reputable product with ample power/current delivery for the task at hand, like Furman line for example, the result is usually always positive regardless of systems sonic "flavor". It is fundamental in that sense and sets a good foundation for the rest. Other changes will affect the sound in various ways that might be deemed positive or negative, depending on user's tastes. Cleaner power pretty much is always a good thing! I would use a conditioner with the pre-amp and all digital source components (players, DACS, etc.), but not on power amp to start. Power amps consume more power and current and require beefier and more expensive power conditioning for effects to be assured as positive.