How do I smooth out violins?


I have a decent system (bit of a mixed bag) but know that I can achieve a smoother, more integrated, and more relaxed massed violin sound. I listen to a ton of orchestral music and notice that massed violins in their upper registers (1500-3500 Hz) often jump out from the mix and sound a bit harsh, unlike what one hears live. Right now, I have the following:

Spendor SP1/2E
McCormick DNA-125 (original)
NAD 1600 (pre/tuner)
Marantz CD3000
Audioquest Sidewinder ICs
Audioquest Type 4

Would a tube pre help (maybe a AA M3A)? I'm thinking that the NAD may be the culprit. Any advice from those of you who have quested for "real" violin sound is very much appreciated.
bojack
Second what Al said again. Jitter can be introduced during the recording process and cannot be removed if in teh recording. Other things can factor in as well of course as has been outlined. A good reference recording is definitely step 1!
Is this violin sound good enough for you?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-kQPEj7znE
This was recorded with a Sony HD recorder direct from speaker.
Suggested recording for test: RCA Living Stereo (SACD) Heifetz/Munch Beethoven Violin Concerto, or the Sibelius Violin Concerto also played by Heifetz.
Suggested recording for test: RCA Living Stereo (SACD) Heifetz/Munch Beethoven Violin Concerto, or the Sibelius Violin Concerto also played by Heifetz.
1)tube buffer
2)acoustic treatments
3)tape a square of toiler paper over the tweeter

The tube buffer/treatment combo certainly helped tame the violins through my system

Sai, thanks for the youtube link, Sai, as in Sai Babba? Emoting from Nirvana?

Or you could just spend a million bucks and get yourself some proper equipment (facetious)