Speaker noise - hissing

One other question & suggestion. Is the noise equal between channels?

While small signal tubes are often the source of hissing (aka white noise) and can increase as tubes age, it is unlikely that all four of the 6SN7 tubes are deteriorating at exactly the same pace.

If you find the noise is louder in one channel than the other, try switching the tubes between the left and right channels. If the noise is now louder in the opposite channel you'll have confirmed that it is time to replace those tubes.

Adam, I had the same problem with one of my AA Transtracs last summer. It ended up being one of the output tubes causing the hiss. Luckily I had some extra tubes to troubleshoot and replace the faulty tube.

Adam, one other thing. The AA amps should be dead quiet. No hiss, no noise just a very slight audible hum with the volume full when your ear is about an inch away from the midwoof.

Came across thread while searching for solution to my problem of low level hiss emanating from my speakers. Have a SS amp and a tubed pre (Audible Illusions). I've cleaned all the connections in my system, made sure all connections are snug, made sure turntable ground wire was securely grounded, switched out the tubes in the preamp, rerouted cables and wiring to make sure they did not cross each other, and I still hear the hiss from my listening position 9 feet away. It's like the pea under the mattress; a minor annoyance, but an annoyance non the less. Previously, system was dead quiet between songs or during quiet interludes. Now, low level hiss is always on my mind. Only time it goes away is when I wear earplugs; but have a hard time hearing the music. So, thinking that may not be my best solution.

Rockyboy, When you changed out the tubes, did you replace the tubes with tubes tested for low noice? Lots of NOS, and new production tubes are not all that 'low noise' in demanding applications like your AA.