with a high quality pre and amp, you should hear virtually no hiss, even with your ear pressed close to the tweeter with volumn set at your "normal" listening point. this is particularly true of line stages but equally so for the very best phono stages.
Acceptable hiss ?
Is is normal to hear absoultely NOTHING coming out of your speakers when no information is being passed through ? Or should there be a subtle hissing when your ear is close to the tweeter ? I'm getting a slight hissing, and am wondering whether or not this is acceptable. I am using Sonus grand piano fronts / center and Sonus Concertino Rear; driven by a B&k 307.