Slight speaker white noise from hybrid BHK 300 monos and BHK pre normal?


There is a faint white rushing noise from my Focal Kanta 3s. Left channel slightly audible inches from speaker. Right channel slightly more audible approx 1 ft from speaker. Inaudible when music is playing.

Is this normal for tube/hybrid equipment like the BHKs? In addition to BHK 300s and BHK pre, I use a tube modified Modwright Oppo Sonica DAC. Tubes are NOS Telefunken RCA and Siemens.

Had a similar issue with my previous Audible Illusions L3A linestage. My tube guy suggested the following which successfully reduced the noise floor - though not to silent.

“A flake of cathode material may have migrated into the grid of the tube. Try removing the tube and tapping it firmly on a table top, then reseat it and burn it in for 12 hours and the noise should be gone.”

I did this to all my tubes but still hear the white noise, albeit faintly. Is this a characteristic of tube/hybrid vs solid state which is dead silent?


128x128cantorgale
All tube systems tend to produce some hiss which is audible up close to the speaker. The sensitivity and the amount of gain from the preamp and amp play a role in tube hiss.
Check the specs of your amp, preamp and speaker sensitivity to know for sure.

And of course buy NOS tubes from a reputable dealer. Ask for low noise, low microphonic tubes.

Are you using XLR cables? If not, try them. I have owned a good bit of tube kit, but always XLR