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What is the cause of my sibilance problem?

I have been fighting a sibilance problem for about a year. I thought I had it beat but it is back. I've tried cleaning and treating all connections, acoustic foam treatment at first reflection points on side and front walls and ceiling, different interconnects, speaker position, and even a different digital front-end. The problem manifests itself as extremely harsh 's' sounds in both male and female voice. I am beginning to wonder if I need to have my hearing checked - I tried headphones and hear the same problem. Well, here is my system:

Aiwa XC-37M CD-changer
MSB Link DAC III with 24/96 upsampling board
B&K Ref. 10 preamp
B&K AV6000 poweramp
Paradigm Reference Studio 60 Loudspeakers
Hsu Research VTF-2 powered subwoofer
Signet center channel
Atlantic Technology surrounds
Sennheiser HD580 Headphones
Home Grown Audio Super Silver interconnects
Monster Cable subwoofer cable
Ted's Excellent Cable speaker wire (mains)
Kimber 4TC speaker wire (surrounds)
Mapleshade Brass cones, weights, and cork/rubber feet
Michael Green 5-shelf Audio Rack.

A Television, the subwoofer, and the Audio Rack sit between the louspeakers; which are approximately 7' apart and 7' from the listening position. My room is highly irregular and ASC claims that $1200 in acoustic treatment is the answer to my problem. I'm not saying they are wrong. But, having experienced the same problem with headphones (and acoustic foam not alleviating the problem one iota) I am beginning to wonder...
gallaine
gallaine OP
114 posts
 
Update:

Bob_Bundus mentioned the sibilance issue might be related to power. So, I contacted PS Audio and who should respond but Paul McGowan himself. He was honest and showed genuine interest in the problem. Unfortunately, he didn't think it was related to power. Considering how busy he must be I was very thankful that he took the time to try and help.

While visiting the HeadWize (headphone forum) site I found a device called the Corda Analoguer. It is essentially a high frequency filter. This device was advertised as reducing the digital glare associated with CDs. I gave it try. It certainly took off some of the edge but didn't cure the sibilance enough to warrant ending my search. If you are interested in my review of the device check out www.headwize.com.

I also decided to try the Sony 333ES SACD player. Well, I am happy to say that it reduced the sibilance to a nearly tolerable level. And, the music sounds more natural and relaxed than the Aiwa/MSB/Analoquer combo. My next step is to try the Analoguer with the SACD player. After that I will probably concentrate on the preamp.

It seems from my experiences to date that the problem is mismatched equipment. Cables and filters are only poor substitutes for proper equipment matching. It is now my belief that they are, or should be, icing on the cake. But you can't match equipment without cables. So, maybe there is something of the chicken-and-the-egg problem here :)
gregm
3,396 posts
 
Gallaine: let's revive the basic assumptions. If mismatch, there can only be two points producing the sibilance if we rule out equipment per se: trans->dac, dac->pre. If you switch off the rest of the system and listen to headphones alone: is there a difference? Pls note the difference (or lack of it), then try the Kimbers as an IC on the two points. Note the difference (if any). Try another trans & note the sonic character (w the Kimber). Go back to the trans & change the dac (if possible). Finally, compare with the Sony. (ofcourse, listen to a cut of the same female vocals throughout).

A tedious undertaking, true. But you must be able to identify the source of the problem. In my experience sibilance is often the result of cable/equipment mismatch, then equipment mismatch. Unfortunately, it's also a result of many other causes, as suggested above.

Best of luck -- and hold on there!
newbee
4,751 posts
 
i once had a sibilance problem - think tubes! since you feel that the cd unit may be a source of your problems, and i agree that it could, audition a tube cd player, if not for purchase, just for the experience. if you like that then you can take the idea forward down the chain of electronics as far as you wish.
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