Help ...... excesssssssive sssssssssssssssssssss


I would be eternally greatfull of any asssssissstance
given to remedy a condition that my ssssystem is ssspewing
out.

I guess it's called Sibillance.
well it ssssssucks.

I have tried inserting different preamps/amps/tubes as
well as 3 different cartridges (shelter 501 II, Grado Ref.
music makerIII )
no help.

different cables have been tried too.
I used the VPI jig for setting up the cartridge & used magnifing goggles to get it right on the money.
VTF set at 1.75gm
always playing with VTA & no help.

I am wondering if the tonearm or wiring could be cause?

here is my setup:
VPI TNT Base
Teres wood platter
JMW12.5 Arm
Music Maker III cartridge
VPI phono cables

Mapleshade copper ribbon I/C's
Decware Preamp
Decware Phonostage
First Watt F1
Mapleshade Speaker cables
Hornshoppe Horns

The music my system makes is wonderful EXCEPT for the
sibillance exageration, if I can get rid of this problem
I will be an extremely happy camper.
socoaste

Showing 2 responses by newbee

The first obvious question relates to system set up. Have you eliminated hard surfaces at the first reflection points on the side walls, floors and ceilings? They are a big contributor to sibilance, overall brightness, and 'distortion'.

Second biggest contributor (If not the first - I'm not familar with your speakers), are you listening to your speakers on the speakers axis? Many speakers are hot on axis and must be pointed straight ahead, or something in between. On occasions I have gone so far as to toe my speakers in so that the axis crosses in front of my listening position to avoid both sidewall reflections and still listen well off axis.

Lastly, have you listened to other sources on your present stuff and found the presentation to be with out the same sibilence?

I'll not comment on the wires. While I've found wires can seem to be a contributor to brightness on occasion I have no experience with your equipment. Perhaps someone with your stuff will have first hand knowledge, but FWIW I've never been able to tame sibilence with just wire changes.
Socaste, Logic, not hands on experience, leads me to a few conclusions based solely on what you have posted regarding your equipment and things you have done to solve your problem.

To review, as I understand it you have sibilence with any source materiel but it is worse with vinyl. The sibilence remains without regard to the amp/pre-amp or tubes you are using. You have ruled out room/set up acoustic related problems. What's left? Your speakers of course. Now that could be your speakers themselves(probable) or their interface with your amp (more likely, except you have tried other amps).

Perhaps it would be meaningful to review how your problem first manifested itself.
When did you become aware of the sibilence?
When you first introduced the speakers to your system?
When you first introduced your amp to your system?
When you first introduced or modified your TT system?

You have sort of dismissed the suggestion that your speakers and your amp might be a mis-match because you know folks who have them and are happy with them, but you do not indicate that you auditioned either or both in your home before your acquired them or that you auditioned them at the homes of the folks who were supporting the combo.

As your thread now stands the only common denominator for the source of the sibilence which you have not ruled out is your speakers. FWIW, some years ago, I bought some highly regarded and extensively reviewed, speakers which I auditioned in a showroom before purchase. I was a neophyte and didn't think about amplification issues. I spent the next two years looking for the right amp (my speakers were sibilent as hell!) and I finally discovered by accident the amp used by the manufacturer to voice the speaker. Bought the amp and the speakers were every bit as good as I had been told, except of course, by then I hated them!

Bottom line, call the Manufacturer and ask them what amp they used to voice their speakers. While most won't tell you, you might luck out on this one. :-)