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PS Audio GCPH to loud . Where to go next?

As my system evolves I am realizing that the GCPH makes a lot of noise. It's not hum or anything like that just sort of a sizzle. My system is: almarro a205a ,Cambridge audio Dac magic, Cambridge audio 340c, pro-ject 2 xperience acryl with speed box mkii,Dynavector 17d3 cartridge and the PS Audio GCPH all soon to be feed into my new Tekton Lores.This is where the problem lies. The digital is dead silent when nothing is playing.I understand that I may not equal the silence of the digital but it should come a lot closer than the gcph does. So any suggestions. This will likely be a lateral move as far as price is concerned but I could stretch a little maybe up to the $1500 range.The new phono preamp would need to have enough gain to handle the 17d3
128x128wilson667
rodman99999
6,131 posts
 
Did you buy it used? I'm asking because, if you have a warranty; it needs to go back to PS. I'm using a GCPH, with a 17D3, in my system now. I've modded the GCPH, but- at the worst; it only has a VERY slight 60Hz hum, at the highest gain setting, full volume on the pot and 99.9 on my TacT 2.2X volume control. I'm searching for either a Silvercore MC or Auditorium 23 transformer, to get away from even that(though it's barely audible, at my listening position). Have you tried unplugging the interconnects from your TT, to see if the noise is still there? It's possible that they are picking up noise/interference from the TT motor, or elsewhere. Also- It's important that the GCPH be located away from any other sources of EMI/RFI(it's not well shielded, in stock form).
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 
At least CALL PS Audio and talk to them about it. If you don't get a result that you like, I would send it back to them for a look see.....
wilson667's avatar
wilson667 OP
93 posts
 
Rodman99999
I did buy the unit new about two years ago. I had a slight hum issue resolved by PS Audio about 6 months ago, at the end of my warranty. The noise is only present as far as I can tell when I get the gain knob above 2-3 o'clock. I would say it was sort of a white or pink noise and it is not tube noise as the digital is dead quiet at idle.I assumed this noise was normal with this unit because I had read that it's s/n ratios were not so good with the gain knob up past the 2 o'clock range.I will give PS Audio a call this week and see what they say.
rodman99999
6,131 posts
 
Nope- that type of noise is not typical of the unit. At what volume on your preamp is the noise audible(your normal listening levels, or above)? I'm betting it's caused by something being picked up between your cartridge and the GCPH's inputs. Have you tried listening with the volume up and the phono interconnects unplugged? Is there anything digital running, or lighting dimmers, while you are listening? Just fishing!
lewm
13,037 posts
 
Please better describe what you are hearing. If it is indeed a "sizzle", I doubt that the GCPH is at fault. Check the dresssing of your interconnect with respect to your AC cord. Sometimes the two can interact particularly if they are running parallel at a close distance. Also, a fault in tonearm wiring can cause a sizzle. Very tough to get rid of it totally but with careful attention to details, it can be minimized. I have two Dynavector DV505s. One of them has sizzle, and the other does not, or has much much less of it, on the same TT with the same phono stage. We think it's a fault in the internal wiring of the one DV505. Forgot to mention, carefully do ground your tonearm. That may help.
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