Sibilance

[Jimbo]

I have noticed that on a few vinyl LP,s I get a touch of sibilance. I must admit not all my vinyl is new:lol: As it is only on older LP,s would I be correct in presuming it is due to worn vinyl rather than system set up? :scratch:

[The Grand Wazoo]

Possibly.....even probably.
But don't forget, that sometimes sibilance happens in real life too!

[losenotaminute]

I have noticed that on a few vinyl LP,s I get a touch of sibilance. I must admit not all my vinyl is new:lol: As it is only on older LP,s would I be correct in presuming it is due to worn vinyl rather than system set up? :scratch:

I think it's more likely to be a problem with the cartridge (either the alignment or wear & tear) than the vinyl. Easy to check - play the LP on another system :-)

If it's a tracking issue then often the tracks closer to the centre of the record display the most sibilance as these are more difficult to track.

[hifi_dave]

Sibilance is a fact of life. Put on the TV or radio and it's there. Talk to someone and it happens.

It also happens with your Hi-Fi and may be nothing other than normal. You can become sensitised to it and listen out for it, making it seem more of a problem than it is.

On the other hand, certain combinations of equipment can emphasise sibilance. Or poor pressings and poorly set up record players can emphasise it as can a worn stylus. I would suggest you check carefully, all the adjustments on your arm and perhaps, increase the tracking weight to the cartridge's maximum. However, if it's only on a few records, I would suggest it's not worth losing sleep over.

[Reffc]

It is likely a combination of all of the above! :lol:

Some sibilance is on the recording too. I have a few close-mic'd albums (female vocals) which are quite sibilant and some Corries folk albums also quite sibilant. In this case, it's the singers and mic'ing of the pieces that are the cause. Older LPs which have been played on worn or out of alignment carts will show audible increased distortions of which sibilance may be one symptom.

Even if you think that your cartridges is well set up, it pays to check, double check and triple check. Great care is needed to ensure that a cart is precisely set up in accordance with the recommended geometry for the arm. Some geometries themselves do show more distortion towards the centre but are averaged for an average lowish distortion, whereas others may be picked for minimal central distortion. Whichever is chosen, great care and patience is needed to get the set up spot on.

If it is just a couple of LPs this is apparent on I shouldn't worry. It's almost certain that wear plus the recording itself are major contributing factors.

[walpurgis]

As has been implied, the main source of sibilance is the media itself, records, CDs, etc. A system of well chosen components should not be prone to causing sibilance, although there's not much you can do about dodgy recordings/pressings.

It may help if you get your vinyl cleaned and have your stylus inspected for wear, also check the tracking alignment, bias, VTA and downforce (opt high rather than low on downforce).