Phono stage inquiry

Thanks for the replies guys. It's good to know it's normal... so it's the design of the Whest...?
@yogiboy what is your phono stage?

Thanks Bill.

Thanks for the info Steve, I'll try that.

I disconnected my tonearm cable from the Whest & the hiss is still present. Also I didn't mention that with the hiss there's also a mild hum. The chassis of the Whest is grounded.
Also when I disconnected the XLRs from the Whest & increased the volume on the phono stage input I could hear my CD transport playing. 

@infection
I have this Quicksilver Audio tube phono preamp!
 quicksilveraudio.com/products/phono-preamp/

I have a Herron Audio VTPH-2a that is dead silent, even on the MC side.  There should be NO noise from a phono stage at slightly elevated listening levels.  If there is, it's either a bad unit or it's a bad design.  

It’s impossible to say whether what you are hearing is “normal” or indicates there is a correctable problem in your phono stage. This is because we don’t have adequate information regarding the gain structure of your system, your cartridge, your amplifier, your speakers. However, solid-state guys may resent my saying this, I have often heard the sort of low level hiss you’re describing to emanate from a solid-state phono stage set at high gain or wide open. I would call it “white noise”.