Do you hear sibilance?

[stratocaster]

I have heard a lot of people mention this term and I personally can't tell whether what I am hearing is sibilance or just the actual recording. Do folks on this forum really get affected by this and what component causes this? Also, is it more prevalent in vinyl or one can hear it with digital as well?

[olds1959special]

Sibilance is when there is too much "s"  "sh" "ch"  sounds. It can cause listener fatigue. It can be in the recording.

Edited August 10 by olds1959special

[Holmz]

4 hours ago, stratocaster said:

I have heard a lot of people mention this term and I personally can't tell whether what I am hearing is sibilance or just the actual recording.

It might be both.
I got this Mozart LP way back on a cool looking clear red ‘vinyl’. It was really shocking.

If you can’t tell, and if it is just the occasional hissing and spittle of the works like “sssnake” then it is probably pointing to your having a good system.
When it seems like it is there to the point where you are wondering if every song is like a vipers nest, then that is different.

Sort of like me wondering why people were fussing around with power, grounding, and network switched  like it was a dark arts coven.
Then I hooked up a DAC and thought, “ahhh - this is what they are talking about!”

 

4 hours ago, stratocaster said:

I have heard a lot of people mention this term and I personally can't tell whether what I am hearing is sibilance or just the actual recording. Do folks on this forum really get affected by this and what component causes this?

Ms. tracking  in a cartridge can.
I am not sure if “graininess” is in the amplifier, which I consider somewhat a second cousin of sibilant.
The graininess seemed to go away with a tube front end, but I also switched carts a few times.
Other times I am convinced it is the recording… and probably clipping in the digital domain.

 

4 hours ago, stratocaster said:

Also, is it more prevalent in vinyl or one can hear it with digital as well?

My digital side is “late onset”, but I’ll try and pay attention over time.