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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
axelwahl
788 posts
 
One thing to mention: I just had my FIRST cart that would track this dang cut --- a Shure V15 III, B U T with an SAS (after-market) stylus.
My brand new Windfeld still doesn't track those sibilants and neither does ANY of a handful of other MM and MI carts. That SAS stylus seems to be one of THE hottest (sharpest) around, and my current thinking is, that it can only be tracked successfully by this type of stylus. YMMV
Axel
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Agreed. Stylus contact radius is a factor in meeting challenges like this.

You can't accurately trace short wavelength, high amplitude modulations with a stylus that's fatter than the modulations themselves. You also can't do fast laps around the Nurburgring in a tractor-trailer, at least not without whacking some of the pylons and carving up the grass.
axelwahl
788 posts
 
Hi Doug,
please would you be able to give us an idea about some other carts that would qualify, having the type of 'hot' stylus as the one I mentioned.

I have to add, that the V15 III with SAS stylus is riding a bit too low for my SME V arm and I'm currently waiting to receive an SME arm shim so I can lower the SRA without lifting the stylus out of the last LP band.
Currently the SAS stylus is *extremely well* resolved but just a bit too hot for my taste, but as I mentioned the only cart this far that will track the sibilants of A.K. side 2, last band of 'so long so wrong.

Greetings,
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Search for stylus types on www.cartridgedb.com. There are many cartridges to choose from.

You probably appreciate this already, but clearly there's no such thing as a "hot" stylus, at least if that's meant to imply "too hot". That's a logical impossibility.

EVERY playback stylus is less "hot" (sharp) than ANY cutting stylus. If reproducing the path of the sharper cutting stylus is the goal then every playback stylus is too dull by definition. The cartridge, setup and/or other components may be too hot, but never the stylus.

In addition to shimming to achieve more normal VTA/SRA, try increasing VTF a tad. That can sometimes tame a "hot" sounding setup.

stringreen's avatar
stringreen
5,112 posts
 
I just opened this thread..late. I listened to the very song on my VPI rim drive/10.5 with my Benz LP, and have no sibilant problem at all. I agree with Doug that a touch of damping fluid at the pivot might help. I set up my arm very carefully with the VPI and then the MINT protractors and found the MINT gave me better sound. I suspect it is because of the MINT's greater accuracy.
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