what causes sibilance?


other than bad recordings, that is. I recently bought a VPI 17F record cleaner and began cleaning records with Disc Doctor Miracle (hand wash & rinse, then rinse with vacuum) Amazing difference! Using an EAR 834P phono pre, AR LS-15 pre, Mesa Baron w/Siemans EL34's, Infinity Compositions speakers, mostly MIT cables, and never heard a trace of sibilance before. Upon cleaning a MoFi version of the Dead's American Beauty, all of a sudden there is voacal sibilance. What's going on?
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Showing 1 response by audphile1

only on that recording? If that is the case, I'd say it's the recording that is sibilant.
If you have the cd version, it would be interesting to compare as far as sibilance, although it may not mean much in the end since the record is dated to 1978...obviously CD will be mastered differently and much later, but still an interesting test. If it's not the recording, reclean with other fluid may be...and if that doesn't help, check the VTA.

Lots of reasons for sibilance. It's just that some systems will be more prone to it than others. Depends on the overall balance of the system, components themselves, type of tweeters(metal domes are more prone to sibilance than say silk), etc...