How do I smooth out violins?

Bojack - I am a big classical fan and have experienced a very similar problem you describe. In fact, I posted a thread about it on AA. The problem manifested itself in both of my systems, one is a passive pre-Class D amp-Maggies rig, the other is an active pre-Class A/B-box speaker combo, so very different. The posters on AA ranged everywhere from "Maggies suck" (yeah right) to more involved discussion of the problems recording engineers face in recording orchestral strings.

I have a couple of comments:

1) My problem isn't heard with solo violin, which in fact sounds particularly good on my system. It's orchestral violins only.
2) I have improved the sound through shielded A.C cables and jitter control. I would investigate both of these routes. I would look into a reclocker for the Marantz (Empirical Audio and Audio Gd are the competitors in this space). This isn't a complete solution but it's ameliorative.
3) Following up on 2, my current working hypothesis is that the issue is one of dirty power and jitter.

So I think your observation is completely valid and I would approach the solution analytically.

Mapman - I'd highlighted my issues with string orchestra treble earlier and am planning on going with the SynchroMesh. I will report back in a couple of months.

I think the bottom line is that this issue - which I think is a significant one since it involves the principal frequency range for melodic presentations by the principal orchestral instrument in classical music - is a result of a confluence of sound engineering problems, format issues (redbook) and stereo system deficiencies.

There is no magic bullet.

As I'd mentioned, I was experiencing the same issues with high massed strings in the 1kHz-3kHz region, with my two systems, which have very different component classes and room environments. The only thing they shared is a redbook D source and now passive preamps.

I mentioned getting an Empirical Audio Synchro Mesh reclocker (SPDIF in) and am very pleased with this excellent product, which helped. What has also been interesting is that I hooked up a cheap ($25) linear power supply to the SynchroMesh, taking the place of a switching supply wallwart, and that has really also been positive. Based on that experience, I am currently working on the theory that PART of the problem with higher frequency massed strings is the drawbacks of switched power supplies (SMPS). They s***. I'm now looking at a variety of power improvement products, testing the hypothesis that ac problems are a big issue. In the past, I had noticed positive improvements in this area from shielded power cables, by the way.

So my current assessment of the high strings issue in digital playback is that it has a complex set of origins:

1) Faulty recordings;
2) Redbook CD is either the cause or is particularly sensitive in this sound area to system problems.
3) Jitter - no doubt that this is a contributing factor;
4) Dirty power. I'm continuing to work on this. New fuses are ordered and I'm going to get audiophile receptacles. I am almost convinced this is another major contributing factor.

Re-reading this thread, one thing that struck me about Bojack's system is his patently inferior pre-amp. My personal suggestion for you Bojack is to try out a passive preamp. Very good units (Goldpoint, the Lightspeed Attenuator, etc) are well within your budget.

I'll update this as I learn more about the ac issues.

Stringreen - That's actually a very interesting post and it taught me something, BUT the problem in my system is only apparent in orchestral music. Solo violin in that higher frequency range actually sounds exceptionally good in that range, massed violins exceptionally bad.