Issue with sound from turntable?

[gbhsi1]

Hello,

I have noticed, especially on the Dark Side of the Moon vinyl, the 's' is pronounced 'shhh' on vocals- so it seems like sibilance to me. I have checked the azimuth, cartridge alignment, VTA and everything else I can think of but it is still prominent everytime the letter s is mentioned (ie: any word with an s in it)?? any ideas of what it could be?

 

[floyd droid]

Ssssssssssssoundssssss like....... Why not stick a frisbee in the tray for a comparison first.

 

[Anonymous]

ok it could be wear on the record poor alignment or worn needle though thats less likely

did this just start or has it been there all along

 

[gbhsi1]

I guess it has been there all the time. Can't see it being the needle as it is a pretty new 2M cartridge & stylus. Any ideas?

 

[John Duncan]

I find my 2M quite sibilant, so it's either poor VTA on both our parts or a propensity of the cartridge, I'd say.

 

[oldleodensian]

JohnDuncan:I find my 2M quite sibilant, so it's either poor VTA on both our parts or a propensity of the cartridge, I'd say.

last night I noticed sibilance on last track of an album that I have just bought 2nd hand. Turntable is an Xpression II with Ortofon OM10, purchased brand new in August 2009, so in theory everything (VTA, azimuth etc) should still be correct, as I believe Project set everything up in the factory (except counterweight, obviously). Or may I need to to make some adjustments?

 

[oldleodensian]

JohnDuncan:I find my 2M quite sibilant, so it's either poor VTA on both our parts or a propensity of the cartridge, I'd say.

Last night I noticed sibilance on last track of an album that I have just bought 2nd hand. Turntable is an Xpression II with Ortofon OM10, purchased brand new in August 2009, so in theory everything (VTA, azimuth etc) should still be correct, as I believe Project set everything up in the factory (except counterweight, obviously). Or may I need to to make some adjustments?

 

[oldleodensian]

JohnDuncan:I find my 2M quite sibilant, so it's either poor VTA on both our parts or a propensity of the cartridge, I'd say.

Last night I noticed sibilance on last track of an album that I have just bought 2nd hand. Turntable is an Xpression II with Ortofon OM10, purchased brand new in August 2009, so in theory everything (VTA, azimuth etc) should still be correct, as I believe Project set everything up in the factory (except counterweight, obviously). Or may I need to to make some adjustments?

 

[oldleodensian]

Sorry about the duplicate posting, bit click-happy here

 

[Henley]

JohnDuncan:I find my 2M quite sibilant, so it's either poor VTA on both our parts or a propensity of the cartridge, I'd say.

You should not be finding this, are you sure you've set the tracking right?

 

[chebby]

Henley:
You should not be finding this, are you sure you've set the tracking right?

My first thought.

1.8gms for both 2M red and blue.

No sibilance experienced with either.

Is the deck on a perfectly level and rigid support? (And not a hollow one like a sideboard or cupboard.)

Are the records clean and in good condition?

Is the bias/anti-skate set correctly to match the downforce? (Was the arm balanced before downforce was set?)

Have you set the overhang and alignment correctly with a protractor? (Or whatever Project supply for the purpose?)

Lastly - if the sibilance is a new occurance - have you inspected the stylus tip (or had it inspected) for damage?

 

[Anonymous]

try my hint " linn sondek set up" as this will work on other turntables. This definitely improves tracking, assuming you arm is correctly adjusted geometry wise, and your stylus isn't. worn. Also I strongly recommend you try my other tip re the centre hole. A turntable needs acoustic isolation, ideally on a light rigid specialist support table with spiked top board and feet.

 

[John Duncan]

Henley:JohnDuncan:I find my 2M quite sibilant, so it's either poor VTA on both our parts or a propensity of the cartridge, I'd say.

You should not be finding this, are you sure you've set the tracking right?

Set at 1.8g, Henley, though via the counterweight's scale rather than a separate one. I'm not saying it's a huge problem, and could be down to issues elsewhere (eg lesser interconnects), but I've certainly found it noticeable on some albums (Hounds of Love on 180g springs to mind) where it's more pronounced than the streamed source.

 

[Henley]

I'd keep looking as it really is unusual for that cartridge. If it only happens occasionally then I'd also be tempted to question pressing quality. I have found some surprisingly poor "high quality" records on the market. By all means give us a call if you think we may be able to help.

 

[Anonymous]

i would get something with better quality.

 

[gbhsi1]

It thought it to be unusual too as surely records should sound great correct?

 

[oldleodensian]

willowwisp:i would get something with better quality.

Not sure how helpful that advice is meant to be; do you mean cartridge or turntable? And how would you define "better quality"?

 

[Henley]

gbhsi1:It thought it to be unusual too as surely records should sound great correct?

Oh don't we all wish that were true. When records were produced in massive volumes there was a tendency for the cheaper end to use poor quality vinyl and to pay scant attention to pressing quality. You also had the issue with poor quality production at studio level (which is more common today).

Having said that, as a general rule, I still think that Vinyl is streets ahead.

 

[gbhsi1]

Henley:gbhsi1:It thought it to be unusual too as surely records should sound great correct?

Oh don't we all wish that were true. When records were produced in massive volumes there was a tendency for the cheaper end to use poor quality vinyl and to pay scant attention to pressing quality. You also had the issue with poor quality production at studio level (which is more common today).

Having said that, as a general rule, I still think that Vinyl is streets ahead.So how can I tell if the vinyl that I am buying is of good quality- is there a way to know what I am buying will sound good?