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Background noise problems

Hi,

I posted around 2 months ago on this issue, but like an idiot, I was due for vacation in Bali a few days after I posted and missed most of the conversation. Anyways, I have tried a few more things and was hoping for some feedback....

Here is my situation: I am getting upper-frequency "snow" coming out of my speakers. My current setup is a Gold-level McCormack DNA-125 amp, Herron VTSP-1a/166 preamp, and Sony 9000es CDP that has been upgraded to VSE Level 6, with Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature speakers. Except for the snow that I am getting (sounds like a snowy TV) the system sounds great. Unfortunately, I am hearing the hiss around 20 feet away.

Here is what I have tried so far:
1) substituting a Eastern Electric Minimax preamp for the Herron: less of the hiss sound, but still present. I am assuming the preamp has less gain?
2) Substitute a Consonance CDP for the Sony. Not much change in background hiss
3) substitute a Jolida integrated amp for the Herron/McCormack combo, input from the Sony: this virtually eliminated the hiss

I have had the Herron checked over by Keith, replaced tubes, and everything has checked out. The McCormack was recently upgraded, but it is possible something is wrong there. The Sony unit was also recently upgraded from Level 5 to Level 6, but the hiss was there before the upgrade and still remains.

A few notes: I hear the hiss as soon as the Herron is engaged, whether or not it is receiving an input. The hiss is the same on all inputs, whether or not they have an active input or are not connected. The speakers are basically dead silent when only the amp is engaged.

It makes me think that I have some issue with compatibility in my system with the Herron, but as I am still getting some background noise on the substitute preamp, I am wondering where to go from here. The Jolida intergrated was basically quiet, which is a good sign.

Where should I go from here? I have the makings of a superb-sounding system, but need to get rid of this background noise. It can be heard easily in the music. Thanks in advance!
dawgcatching
mlsstl
1,438 posts
 
Actually, 80 dB for the Herron is a pretty good noise figure (just reading from their spec sheet). That was for the moving coil input option and that circuit has a lot of gain. I would think that figure would improve with a line level input.

And a 1 volt input sensitivity on the power amp is perhaps a shade low, but certainly not an unusual figure.

Really, there is nothing about those numbers that suggests your setup should have the level of white noise you indicate. (You didn't say, but I gather you checked both amp and preamp for any additional gain-setting switches?)

If I were you, I think I'd have the preamp tested for output noise. I think I'd also contact the manufacturer and ask them if they have any insight. And, have you tried this preamp in another system? That might be revealing.
dawgcatching OP
139 posts
 
MIsstl,

Yes, I didn't see any gain-setting switches to play around with. I just got the preamp back from Keith at Herron, where he tested the preamp and didn't find anything out of the ordinary. He gave me some things to try (which I did) and it didn't solve the problem). He was very helpful, but in the end, couldn't figure out what was happening, except that it wasn't a faulty preamp, which leads me to believe there is a compatiblity issue with the amp.

I will give the preamp a go in another system.

dawgcatching OP
139 posts
 
Perhaps another thought: does anyone think there could be an issue with speaker cable? I don't see why there would be (I am using Signal Cable bi-wire) but thought I would throw that out there as something I hadn't yet pondered.
rodman99999
6,159 posts
 
Cables cannot generate hiss. A bad ground on an interconnect could cause hum, but not hiss. A bad conductor on a speaker cable would result in no sound at all. I would have every tube in my system tested and graded with regard to microphonics and noise. Many tubes are fine in low gain circuits(and can test better than new for transconductance, etc), but noisy as hell if used in phono stage or preamp circuits. In those locations the least amount of noise is dramatically exposed. With the rated S/N ratios of your gear- you should be hearing no noise at all. Actually your amp's 1 volt sensitivity/speaker's high efficiency should allow you to barely crack the volume on your pre to enjoy your music. That should result in less noise from the pre. If you have no hiss with just the McCormack turned on, and the hiss when the pre is on/in the system, with no source connected: It's obviously the pre(probably a tube) that is generating the noise. Kevin Deal would probably be willing to test and grade your tubes: (http://www.upscaleaudio.com/view_category.asp?cat=38), or you could replace them with his "Platinum Graded" tubes(click on "Tube Testing Procedures" on the bottom of the afore mentioned page). I've found Upscale to be an excellent source of tubes, and his testing/burning/grading procedures to be second to none. No connection, outside of being a happy customer.
dawgcatching OP
139 posts
 
Hi Rodman99999,

I just had my tubes tested, and also have a brand new batch here just in case. I swapped in the new tubes, and had no change. Tubes were my initial thought as well. My other preamp that I tried also has the background noise, although only at around 2/3 the noise of the Herron.
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