Hi Mark,
If the noise only occurs when the volume control is turned up to a relatively high setting, it means that the noise is being introduced into the signal path "ahead of" ("upstream of") the volume control. A more powerful amp will often (although certainly not always) provide higher gain (the relation between its output voltage and its input voltage), which would cause you to utilize the volume control at lower settings. However the resulting noise level would be no different, since the amp is "downstream" of the volume control.
Unless, that is, the noise is being coupled into the upstream part of the signal path BY the power amp. But as I recall you’ve probably addressed that possibility already, by physically relocating the components in your setup.
Regards,
-- Al
If the noise only occurs when the volume control is turned up to a relatively high setting, it means that the noise is being introduced into the signal path "ahead of" ("upstream of") the volume control. A more powerful amp will often (although certainly not always) provide higher gain (the relation between its output voltage and its input voltage), which would cause you to utilize the volume control at lower settings. However the resulting noise level would be no different, since the amp is "downstream" of the volume control.
Unless, that is, the noise is being coupled into the upstream part of the signal path BY the power amp. But as I recall you’ve probably addressed that possibility already, by physically relocating the components in your setup.
Regards,
-- Al