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Killing sibilance distortion - VPI & Jubilee

Hello,

Along with what others have posted in the recent past, I also have a long running case of nasty distortion on sibilants with my vinyl playback. It is worse in the inner grooves.

To build on some other recent threads about this topic, I ordered a MFSL that is supposed to be a good test for mistracking. I have made a recording clip of my playback playing some of the last track on Side 2.

I have the recording on this link:

Playback Recording

If you take a look at that, we can all be on the same page with what exactly is going on.

The setup is a VPI Scoutmaster table, JMW9 sig arm, Ortofon Jubilee cartridge. The table is leveled on a Salamander Archetype rack. VTA is set with the arm parallel. VTF is set to 2.4g. Alignment is setup with the MINT arc protractor, 10x magnification. The VPI mechanical Anti-Skate is being used, with the lighter rubber washers. Azimuth is level by means of the "VPI straw trick" (a straw in a groove on the headshell).

Is there anyone that can point me in the right direction to fix that sibilance distortion you're hearing on the recording?

I've tried quite a few things, including different cartridges, and VTF, VTA and antiskate settings, but the sibilance is always there.

Here are some photos of my setup:

Cartridge Closeup

Aligning with the MINT

Thanks for reading
by Goatwuss
goatwuss
storyboy
80 posts
 
Have you made sure it is not record damage from a cartridge that had mistracked previously? I have older records that were mistracked from days gone by, and they are damaged forever. I verified when I picked up new copies of records that played perfect, but the older ones still distort with the exact same setup and even with different carts. Make sure before you pull your hair out.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
We know its not a bad LP. Goatwuss has stated he gets similar distortions on many LP's. This one is just the example he chose.

If you have the entry level version JMW then I believe it lacks the fluid damping well that comes on higher models.

IME with the Graham 2.2, damping of the bearing is required with some (most) cartridges to avoid distortions of this kind. The JMW (another unstabilized, undamped unipivot) may be similar. The fact that VPI includes damping capabilities on their higher models may confirm this notion.

Just another thought to throw in the mix...
narrod
1,064 posts
 
I owned the original VPI Aries and the first JMW arm with a Benz L0.4. I had no such issues. I would have dumped it if that had been the case.

Wendell
goatwuss OP
875 posts
 
Hi guys,

Jaytea - Yeah, I hear it too. The vocals get harsh when they get loud. I've just kind of assumed it is related to the same issue that's causing the sibilance.

"If you have the entry level version JMW then I believe it lacks the fluid damping well that comes on higher models."

This is actually the JMW9 signature, so it does have the fluid damping.

I'm shipping off my arm, the AK album, and my Benz and Ortofon carts to Mike at VPI for testing today. I'm crossing my fingers that we can come up with some answers!
axelwahl
788 posts
 
Hi,
this question is actually directed at Doug, who has had some more extensive exposure in this area.

Changing and by-passing some more caps in my x-over has clearly resulted in a more time-coherent, more on the point, or tighter sound of my speakers.

Sibilants, according to one source, is (treble) information out-side of the time envelope.
So far we looked at ~ **source** only for the solution.
Would you be able to confirm that a x-over might be at least part of the problem here?
Axel
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