I don't think those issues are acceptable, but the only times I've experienced them proved to be stylus-related, normally when trying out an after-market or NOS stylus (though I once had a Grado Green1 stylus start having issues after 6 months; the dealer confirmed no excessive wear or build-up of gunk, but it just wasn't performing; a new stylus solved the problem). Even the $29 Audio Technica CN5625AL (purchased brand new, when my local dealer had just gotten in a fresh shipment from Audio Technica), with its .7 mil bonded conical tip tracking at 2.25 grams, was free of those problems. At present, I use an M97xE on a Rega RP3, and there is no hint of mistracking, distortion, or excessive sibilance (and this has been true of all four N97xE styli I have used so far in this combination).. . . I guess the real point of this is for my own information but also others': is sibiliance and distortion / mistracking being accepted by vinyl enthusiasts? I don't mean those with AT-LP60s or Crosleys, but you, reading this. . .
i have 0 sibilance/ distortion. there is a difference between a good setup and a perfect setup, a good setup will get sibilance, a perfect setup will not have these issues simple as that, if you own a table with no VTA adjust you arent going to ever get rid of this problem , ...
Congrats yours stylus and cart is certainly at the right angle.With all due respect, Sir, my experience with my tt (no VTA adjustment) seems to suggest that this statement is not accurate. No sibilance ever, at least to my ears.
a i stated in the post context, "unless you get lucky with cart height" that would be you.With all due respect, Sir, my experience with my tt (no VTA adjustment) seems to suggest that this statement is not accurate. No sibilance ever, at least to my ears.
With all due respect, Sir, my experience with my tt (no VTA adjustment) seems to suggest that this statement is not accurate. No sibilance ever, at least to my ears.
Congrats yours stylus and cart is certainly at the right angle.
I keep reading about sibilance/IGD distortion problems and I certainly believe folks experience them, but in 40-odd years of playing vinyl I've yet to personally experience either. Just lucky? I dunno.
Perhaps so. I've always tried to take some care in getting it all right. A good protractor is your friend and using an arm that allows for VTA adjustments and such sure healps as well.Just precise.
In your set up.
Perhaps so. I've always tried to take some care in getting it all right. A good protractor is your friend and using an arm that allows for VTA adjustments and such sure healps as well.
To me, it is completely unacceptable, and it boggles my mind how some others who listen to vinyl cannot hear it. I've even purchased LPs that were played on lesser styli that are now permanently damaged, and the sellers can't even hear the damage. To cover that half of the equation, I try to buy new sealed vinyl whenever possible.I guess the real point of this is for my own information but also others': is sibiliance and distortion / mistracking being accepted by vinyl enthusiasts? I don't mean those with AT-LP60s or Crosleys, but you, reading this.
I have heard needledrops here that exhibit mistracking. I read about cartridges or styli that have sibilance, though they are being discussed as if it a minor drawback.
Oh, ok. That makes sense.li
a i stated in the post context, "unless you get lucky with cart height" that would be you.
sib occurs at the frequency where the SSSSS is, in the human voice or , any song with lots of SSS in the lyrics, will show sib the most, it is somewhat related to the cart stylus design, my stanton 500 mkII is known for a lot of sib, i think it is partially due to a stiff larger design cantilever that requires a higher tracking force,, with too light of a tracking force, a vta angle that puts the tip of the needle leaned a touch forward can help, also adding a half gram to the tracking force can help, but i really dont see this problem often with a good setup, this is from my listening and comparing, of course you will get 100 diff opinions.Am I correct in thinking that sibilance, to a greater or les on some records is actually inherent in the recording, thus not due to stylus type, inaccurate set-up, or groove damage in used records? The original 'Trinity Sessions' by The Cowboy Junkies on the Cooking Vinyl label being a prime example
sib occurs at the frequency where the SSSSS is, in the human voice or , any song with lots of SSS in the lyrics, will show sib the most, it is somewhat related to the cart stylus design, my stanton 500 mkII is known for a lot of sib, i think it is partially due to a stiff larger design cantilever that requires a higher tracking force,, with too light of a tracking force, a vta angle that puts the tip of the needle leaned a touch forward can help, also adding a half gram to the tracking force can help, but i really dont see this problem often with a good setup, this is from my listening and comparing, of course you will get 100 diff opinions.
To me, it is completely unacceptable, and it boggles my mind how some others who listen to vinyl cannot hear it. I've even purchased LPs that were played on lesser styli that are now permanently damaged, and the sellers can't even hear the damage. To cover that half of the equation, I try to buy new sealed vinyl whenever possible.
The raw truth of it all--only the "line contact" type of stylus tip can fit in the high frequency grooves, especially as you get towards those inner grooves. (These types may have names like MicroRidge, Micro Line, Van den Hul, Replicant, Shibata, etc..) A conical or elliptical are too "fat" and will mistrack, since the "waves" cut into the record are smaller/tighter than the styli trying to track them. Likewise, too much effective tip mass will not allow the stylus to accelerate fast enough, and also cause mistracking, as will a suspension that is too stiff. There are illustrations online that show the various shapes, and their advantages.
And never rule out the fact that even with the best tracking cartridge on the planet, so much used vinyl today is unacceptably worn, and will sound distorted despite what is being used to play it back with. I see this more now today than I did 20 and 30 years ago. The vinyl can look clean; you cannot see groove wear (aka groove burn) without a microscope.