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Vinyl and slurring S'es

I have been listening to a lot of vinyl for the past for months and have been considering a new turntable. But I have a question. I have noticed that when listening to my vinyl the s'es sound "slurred". I'm not really sure how to put it any other way. This is with new and/or older records. My question is; is it the recording? Do I have something set wrong on my turntable (anit-skating, ect)? Or is it my electronics. I don't notice this when listening to CDs. I have several on CD and vinyl and the CDs are crisp and clear. I have had two tables in my system in the past two weeks and both do it; a Denon 47F and a Basis 1400 w/300 arm. On both tables was a Grado Sonata cartridge. I am using a Black Cube running into a Classe CP60. The amp is a McIntosh MC300 and Thiel 3.6 speakers. I really prefer the sound the vinyl gives but those s'es can really make it fatiguing sometimes. Any insight someone can give on this matter would be appreciated.

Thank!
Tim
mitcheft
twl
3,251 posts
 
I can't tell you exactly what it is on your system, but it is usually a result of a too hot high-end somewhere along the way. Or it could be the VTA on your arm. If it does not do it on your CDP, it is not likely that is in your electronics, but somewhere in the phono chain. I would try to raise the VTA some, and see if that helps.
paragonss's avatar
paragonss
1 posts
 
If it was the same cartridge I would check for stylus wear. It could also possibly be VTA.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
How old is your cartridge?
Some of the aging cartridges after half-life start to be too bright. I have in reserve Benz M.09 that is arround 4 years-old with original non-retipped stylus. Everything is OK when you look through microscope but the sound is "s-ing"
mitcheft OP
9 posts
 
Thanks for the resonses so far. I used two different cartridges, one was a high output the other low. The low was on the Denon and the high was on the Basis. Both were bought around the same time and are 2 or 3 yrs old (I think). Since I have two I have considered getting one retipped or just biting the bullet and getting a new cartridge; maybe go for a different brand. I thought about adjusting the VTA on the Basis (cant do it on the Denon) but wanted to put this thread out first to get some thoughts on it all.

I appreciate all the input so far and any that follows.

Thanks guys!

Tim
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