2. analog
  3. 133781-46

Gonna have to ditch the Soundsmith Carmen II

I've given this cart the benefit of the doubt and then some, but it's going to have to go. 

the sibilance on s's is just to much. The sound isn't distorted, just way louder than the rest of the vocals. This happens to one degree or the other on all records with vocals. Sometimes it's barely noticeable sometimes it hard to bare. other than the sibilance I love the sound, I love the live nature of the music.  so I hate getting rid of it. 

So so the things I've done and made sure are dead on:

alighnment - that means SRA, VTA, TF, Azimuth, anti skate (per,SS), platter level, checked mounting hardware, checked tunntable . . .etc

my Denon 2x20L doesn't do this.

it may be there is a bad combo with some piece of equipment or loudspeaker and it just doesn't jive with the rest of the rig. 

My system:

VPI prime
Parasound JC3+ Phono pre
PAD phono cables
Decware integrated SET tube amp
Zu Omen Def MKII with Radian tweeter upgrade. 

So the question is what cart, around $1k will give that live dynamic sound, tracks well, but does emphasize the S's?

ones I'im interested in but have no way of hearing:

Ortofon Quintet Black
Audio Technica ART 9
???


last_lemming

Showing 2 responses by folkfreak

folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
@cleeds if you did some research on the SMARTractor you would be aware that is a system that includes a magnifier, a mirrored high precision gauge and a very accurate P2S system. In other words about as close to perfect alignment as possible

I don’t know this cart but it may simply be that it lacks synergy with the rest of the system. Personally my experience with sibilance is that it is often present in the recording (when I compare LP and digital) and is something I personally do not have a problem with. Others however are much more sensitive

To the OPs question given you are already partially invested in dertonearms work perhaps it’s worth checking out the Acoustical Systems Fideles. I own the Palladian which is about as close to live as you can get, if the Fideles has a fraction of the House sound it should suit you well
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
One other obvious explanation that could give rise to sibilance is build up of dirt on the stylus. Have you examined it under a loupe or scope and do you have a regular cleaning program in place? Sure you’ve addressed this but for others with similar problems it can definitely be a source of issues. I find my stylus needs cleaning after each side or two, and this is with ultrasonicly cleaned discs
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