Playback Hiss - What Do You Think It Is?

[RainInSummertime]

Hello all, I love this forum! I am new to turntables and records, and am in need of some expert advice. I have read a lot so far, but didn't see anything relating to the problem I'm having.

I am getting an annoying hiss sound whenever a singer lets out an "sss" sound. I've linked an audio clip if you'd like to hear what I'm talking about. It happens with all of my records, so I figure it's something to do with the turntable. I bought my turntable/needle used, and I don't have any experience, so I have no clue where to start troubleshooting. Any advice would be appreciated!

You can download the 18 second clip here: http://pws.cablespeed.com/~vitalvintage/hiss_clip.mp3

Thanks,
RIS

[QUINNY]

If it's like this on all vinyl then it could be any or all of the following SFAIK. There is nearly always some sibillance on vinyl, but not as bad as you have it.

1) Cartridge/stylus combination. Some do tend to over emphasise the top end. It could be that the cartrige isn't matched to your pre-amp, but this is fairly uncommon in my experience. Is there any pre-emphasis on your pre-amp that needs to be turned off?

2) Try adjusting the weight of the tone arm. Move the cartridge assembly to a point where perfect balance is acheived and zero the counterbalance (indicator) at the back of the tone arm. Make sure it's still balanced, then apply different weight adjustments by turning the counterbalance as directed and see if it solves the problem.

3) Try adjusting the anti-skate force if (2) above makes no difference. Generally, this should be set at the same figure as the weight applied to the counterbalance on the tone arm.

Hope this helps.

[Graham_Start]

It's called mistracking, and it happens when either the stylus is too large to properly track the grooves and/or the cartridge is not set up properly. It will get steadily worse as the grooves get closer to the center.

This is to be expected with DJ cartridges, which usually have a large stylus so that they can be durable and survive slip-cueing, being dropped on vinyl, and other forms of abuse. Cheap hi-fi cartridges generally do this as well.

If you want to eliminate this problem altogether, you will need a hi-fi cartridge with a fineline or microline stylus. Audio Technica's AT440MLa is the cheapest way to obtain this, and it goes for about $100 USD. However, note that these are very fragile and must be treated with great care.

[RainInSummertime]

Quinny: Thanks for your input. I fiddled with the counterbalance and anti-skate, but neither seemed to make a difference with this problem. I am using a 4-channel mixer as my preamp, so I did experiment with the equalizer but wasn't able to eliminate the problem. I think you're right about my cartridge/stylus combo.

Graham_Start: Thanks for your response. I looked up the Audio Technica components you recommended. The cartridge is $85 and the stylus is $68. You think these two will solve the problem?

If I'm going to replace the cartridge and stylus, should I consider replacing the tonearm and turntable as well? Or do those components have little affect on the problem I'm describing?

Here is a list of my gear if it helps:

Technics SL-3300 turntable
Stanton 500 II cartridge
Stanton 5100 AL II stylus
Gemini PDM14 mixer/preamp
Soundblaster Audigy 2 sound card

[Graham_Start]

Originally Posted by RainInSummertime

Graham_Start: Thanks for your response. I looked up the Audio Technica components you recommended. The cartridge is $85 and the stylus is $68. You think these two will solve the problem?

The cartridge comes with the stylus, so you only need the one, unless you'd like a spare. Just two important things to note: 1- it must be set up properly (you'll need a protractor to align it correctly) with the correct VTF and anti-skate, and 2 - DO NOT USE THIS CART FOR DJing. Absolutely no back-cueing or anything like that, and be gentle. It's very fragile and back-cueing will quickly break the stylus and possibly damage your records. Hi-Fi carts are strictly for listening.

[QUINNY]

Originally Posted by RainInSummertime

Here is a list of my gear if it helps:

Technics SL-3300 turntable
Stanton 500 II cartridge
Stanton 5100 AL II stylus
Gemini PDM14 mixer/preamp
Soundblaster Audigy 2 sound card

I have a Stanton 500 cartridge in my record deck and get NOTHING LIKE the amount of sibillance you're experiencing. I know Graham is ultimately right in what he says, but even a Stanton shouldn't mis-track to that extent, so I'm not sooo sure a new cartridge is necessary.

How heavy-handed are you? If you're anything like me, a Stanton is the only cartridge worth considering.

[canadiantire]

Gents,

I also agree with your diagnosis but I haven’t seen anyone discussing the following possibilities:

• The sibilance problem could also be originating from the source recording...and sometimes from a permanently damaged vinyl that was played on a misadjusted turntable.
• Sibilance can be accentuated by someone who did an improper “wet cleaning” (with the wrong cleaning agent).

In this case, I would consider the record as “ruined”.

In order to improve the high frequency reproduction, my advice would be to do the following (in order of appearance):

1) Adjust the weight on the cartridge as per manufacturer specs

2) Adjust the tracking force on the tonearm

3) Eliminate any pre-amplification stages that are not necessary between the cartridge and the sound board – especially the one(s) that contains manual controls of the high frequencies

4) Make sure that the cartridge pre-amplifier uses RIAA equalization circuit (I’d be very surprised if it doesn’t)

5) Lastly, choose if possible a high compliancy cartridge. They can usually be recognized by their tinier cantilever (needle support). The tradeoff of using such cartridges is their fragility.


By the way, since you will be looking into adjustments, also check for the parallelism of the cartridge against the grooves, not so much for sibilance problems but it will improve the stereo image and provide better phasing of the left/right channels.

Picking the right cartridge is an inexact science. Of course there are a few high priced - exotic audiophile cartridges out there but I personally don’t have that much money to invest in the hobby.

Over the years I’ve bought many models and brands before settling up on a particular manufacturer.

The mid-range of Audio-Technica has never deceived me so far.

Hope this helps.

- Marcus

[Noman]

Have you tried a new Stylus yet?
I had the same experience some years ago when I borrowed a turntable with a worn stanton 500. When I baught a new turntable with a new stylus and the sibillance disappeared.
I still had some distortions in the inner tracks of some albums, I upgraded to a "thinner" stylus and it disappeared too..

[Thereza bizarre]

Wow! i have to say this unravels a few mysterys for myself. i alwyas wondered why the inner tracks alwyas started after a while to sound fragile and staticky so i will tkae this advice. is this cartridge a one size fits all? or must one find something compatable with ones own turntable/ please advise.....thank you.