Put a 10db attenuator between your amp and preamp.
Low buzzing through speaks
Hello All,
Need some serious help here. So I just (upgraded?) from a Marantz AV8802A to a McIntosh MX122 preamp. I also just got brand new Revel Performa3 speaks all around (5 channel setup). I disconnect everything from the Marantz and then into the McIntosh, connect the speaks and I have a faint buzzing through all 5 speakers (that was not there previously). I have everything plugged into a Furman Elite 20pfi power conditioner which is plugged into a dedicated 20 amp circuit. My power amp is a Simaudio Titan HT200 5 channel. This is not going through the Furman but directly into the other outlet on the same 20 amp line. I even tried plugging the Sim amp into the Furman to see if that helped-no change faint buzz is still there. I have unplugged just about everything, and the buzz is still there. It is very faint and does not get louder when I turn up the volume. Again it is faint and you have to put your ear up to the speaks to hear but it is definitely there. I have tried so many things and nothing gets rid of it. It is not my cable box (I did have that issue previously with the Marantz but as soon as I unplugged the coax from the box it went away so I just bought a coax loop eliminator connected the cable to that and noise was all gone) as I unplugged that and started there.
Any help would be so sincerely appreciated????
Showing 9 responses by russ69
@kingbr OK are you ready to solve your problem? I think the high gain of the XLR connection or amp/preamp combo gain is your issue. A 10 db attenuator will kill that. You might have to use a XLR to RCA adapter to make it work in your application. I'm 99% sure that is what your issue is. Be sure to read this: A Discussion About Idle Hiss – Upscale Audio |
In almost all cases you'll have plenty of gain to fully drive the amp.
That is very seldom the case. Volume potentiometers knock down the preamps full power output. Once the gain drops below the audible range there is no need for further attenuation. That is why the idle hiss can be audible, there is still gain being passed through the preamp. |