Hi Mark,
If you can hear hiss at the listening position while music is playing at any volume, something is definitely wrong. Notwithstanding the fact that the high sensitivity of your Daedalus speakers will reproduce any noise that is generated or introduced downstream of the volume control to higher levels than would result with less sensitive speakers. With my preamp muted, the hiss level from my Ulysses is almost imperceptible with my ear less than two inches from the tweeters. I do have a very slight ground loop-related hum, though.
Some thoughts and questions:
1)My guess is that the problem is unrelated to AC power quality.
2)Have you tried both positions of the "Gnd" switch on the back of the amplifier? N.B.: To prevent the possibility of loud transients, I would strongly suggest not changing the position of that switch while the amp is on, and waiting a minute or so after turning the amp off before changing its position.
3)What happens to the noise level if the preamp is turned on but is muted?
4)Are your interconnects between preamp and power amp shielded or unshielded, and balanced or unbalanced? Shielded and balanced would provide the best noise rejection. If that is not what you have, you might want to try some inexpensive Mogami Gold Studio cables, which are known for their excellent noise rejection.
5)If they are not already, route the interconnects with as much separation as possible from power cords or other possible sources of electrical noise.
6)Good suggestion by Mofi about disconnecting everything but the amp. For the results to be totally conclusive, though, you should put shorting plugs such as these on the amp inputs.
Hope that helps. Best regards,
-- Al
If you can hear hiss at the listening position while music is playing at any volume, something is definitely wrong. Notwithstanding the fact that the high sensitivity of your Daedalus speakers will reproduce any noise that is generated or introduced downstream of the volume control to higher levels than would result with less sensitive speakers. With my preamp muted, the hiss level from my Ulysses is almost imperceptible with my ear less than two inches from the tweeters. I do have a very slight ground loop-related hum, though.
Some thoughts and questions:
1)My guess is that the problem is unrelated to AC power quality.
2)Have you tried both positions of the "Gnd" switch on the back of the amplifier? N.B.: To prevent the possibility of loud transients, I would strongly suggest not changing the position of that switch while the amp is on, and waiting a minute or so after turning the amp off before changing its position.
3)What happens to the noise level if the preamp is turned on but is muted?
4)Are your interconnects between preamp and power amp shielded or unshielded, and balanced or unbalanced? Shielded and balanced would provide the best noise rejection. If that is not what you have, you might want to try some inexpensive Mogami Gold Studio cables, which are known for their excellent noise rejection.
5)If they are not already, route the interconnects with as much separation as possible from power cords or other possible sources of electrical noise.
6)Good suggestion by Mofi about disconnecting everything but the amp. For the results to be totally conclusive, though, you should put shorting plugs such as these on the amp inputs.
Hope that helps. Best regards,
-- Al