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  3. 152498-86252

Help in minimizing hiss

I’m wondering if all hiss can be removed, particularly with highly efficient speakers.
The hiss in my system is audible from about 4-5’ away when it’s silent in the house.

All gear is on a dedicated line I installed with new 12/3 romex to the panel with a 20 amp breaker.
I’m using all quality power cables and XLRs.

Rig:
Oppo 105 - Schitt Freya + - Legacy Wavelet DSP - Pass Labs X260.8 - Legacy Valor (101 dB sens)

Thanks for any input you may have,Scott
simpleman68
tomcarr
1,512 posts
 
I'm also using a Schiit Freya, always through tube mode. It's the source of my hiss through Vandersteen 2Ce Sig IIs. I'm only aware of it when music is not playing and then only if I'm standing within 5 feet of the speakers.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
 It's hard to be noise-free when using 101 dB sens. speakers. 
Did you try the suggested test of only having your amp powered up, no components?

If your amp is quiet, then your upstream devices might  benefit from power conditioning.

three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
Power conditioning may help in lowering overall noise floor but it certainly won't address tube hiss.  A well designed circuit in your component coupled with low noise tubes can achieve really quiet operation.  I run 99dB efficient speakers through an integrated tube amp (max gain 34dB) and have zero audible noise and hiss even with my ear pressed to the grille.
erik_squires
16,080 posts
 
How are your room acoustics? Especially between and behind the speakers?

If not treated, experiment with some blankets.

This won't remove hiss, but is an area often neglected which raises the perception around those frequencies. :)

yyzsantabarbara
4,829 posts
 
Since you already have  warm sounding Pass amp why not try the noiseless Benchmark LA4 preamp, 30 day free trial and $2500. 

https://benchmarkmedia.com/collections/preamplifiers

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