Help-sibilance!


Auditioning some Newform 645's which I love. However, as they have broken in, I have begun to notice quite a bit of sibilance which is driving me crazy. It is especially bad with my digital cable, but I first noticed it on Lyle Lovett's new CD which is a great recording. Any comments on what is causing the problem and potential cures would be most appreciated. System: Rotel 991, Rogue 66, MSB Link DAC, Newform R645's and Maggie 1.6's. Thanks, Mike
zenaudio

Showing 2 responses by dekay

Zen: What is your transport and also your cables? Sorry, I thought that the Rotel was your player. Also, I beleive that Doug at this site had or has the Newform's. Doug?
A certain amount of sibilance is to be expected in better and revealing systems because it is something that naturally occurs with many artists, sometimes the engineers cover it and sometimes they don't. I have heard it many times at live performances both in small clubs and large venues and it is not always at the fault of the PA system or sound engineers. Some artists just never master the use of their tongue and teeth. Many people develop sibilance with the adoption of dental plates or false teeth, some people come by it naturally and some people actually go out of their way to acquire this swishy lispy sound in their regular speaking voice. Although I enjoy listening to Diana Krall, she still has along way to go in regard to her S's. A system without any sibilance is also a system without spittle and lip licks, as part of the information on the recording is not reaching your ears. If too much "is" too much then you may try removing the DAC and running the Rotel straight as I have found the Link DAC to be rather crisp or trying a soft but still detailed analog IC like HT Truthlink's or perhaps a different digital IC.