My rule of thumb is if you can't hear the hiss, rush, or even hum at the listening position with volume at a healthy level, then it's nothing to worry about.
Phono Preamp Tube Rush
Is there such a thing as a tube phono stage that doesn't have tube rush? Is it just an inherent weakness of that type of pre or is it some combination of cartridge gain and preamp gain? I went from a silent solid state ASR Basis Exclusive to a Herron VTPH-2A (new home with space limitations) and now I'm using a Hagerman Trumpet with my Decca London Super Gold. Both the Herron and Hagerman have tube rush. The Hagerman beats the Herron in my setup and it really sounds incredible but in quiet passages and between songs, there's that hiss at high-medium and high volume. It's just there. No combination of new tubes, new cables, etc changes this fact. Same with the Herron. Anyone having a different experience with a tube phono preamp?
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Yes Ralph you are correct usually j fets I think and I do believe it is to reduce noise. My next phono amp Is going to be balanced. Can't wait to try that. I would like just a little more gain for ultra low output cartridges and I believe from what I have read that a balance design should have lower noise levels. Cartridges are balanced to begin with. |
noromance"It's also possible that some phono amps "throttle down" gain with no signal present" That is ridiculous there is no such phono preamplifier in existence that is intended for Music Reproduction Systems. |
I would like just a little more gain for ultra low output cartridges and I believe from what I have read that a balance design should have lower noise levels. Cartridges are balanced to begin with.The reduced noise can be significant. For a given gain stage, if executed in the balanced domain you get a maximum of 6dB less noise. Now if you have two gain stages or more this adds up. |
- 89 posts total