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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

Showing 3 responses by johnbrown

johnbrown
195 posts
 
In order of appearance:

a) verify that you've set the correct VTF

b) try using absolute minimum anti-skate. On my JMW 12.5, I don't use the 'mechanical' anti-skate: I simply set it so that when balanced, the arm *slowly* drifts to the outside. I mean *slowly*.

c) try aligning with the stock VPI jig

d) re-check your spindle to pivot measurement, and print out a conrad hoffman http://www.conradhoffman.com/chsw.htm protractor (if you've not used his site, be sure to actually 'read' the 'read me'). Though not as accurate in absolute terms as the Mint, it is easily good enough to verify that the dimensions of your Mint protractor are correct.

e) try another cart. It's always good to have a Denon DL-103 around for an emergency backup, for situations such as you're experiencing, and as a PDG cartridge in it's own right.

f) follow any directives given you by DD. And no, that's not a joke.
johnbrown
195 posts
 
Axelwhahl-the Mint protractor requires you to align zenith via the canteliver-not the cart body. Of course, one should always follow that model, no matter the protractor that's being used.
johnbrown
195 posts
 
Axelwhahl-All true. I was just reiterating what I'm sure you know (probably better than I) that one should never use the body of the cart for alignment, no matter which plane you're aligning. For instance, I often see VTA/SRA tutors telling people to 'level the tonearm'. While that may be useful as a baseline for further adjustment, it really has only a cursory relationship to the alignment one must pay attention to-that of the stylus in the groove.
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