2. amps-preamps
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Mark Levinson Amplifier Hiss

I am auditioning a Levinson ML-9. I do not have a low noise floor by any means. I am using the ML-9 pre with the amp. When I have the amp idling and no source either playing or even on, I have a hiss coming from the speakers.

As I go through the volume range, the hiss disappears greatly around 2 and to a great, but lesser extent, around 5 (12 o'clock) on the volume knob. I have tried using a 2 prong plug on the pre and the amp, but no change in the hiss. I have also shut down the sub, but have not removed it from the audio chain.

I have hooked up my CDP with variable out to the amp and the noise floor has lowered, but is still noticable.

So, as it stands, I am out of ideas on how to remove the hiss. As you close in on the speakers, the hiss is noticeable. Even as you listen to quiet passages, you can hear it.

What can I do, or is the amp just noisy?

Teanks,
eragot

Showing 2 responses by nsgarch

nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
You didn't say what amp, the ML9?

Anyway, with preamps, especially older designs, you might want to put shorting plugs in the unused inputs. The fact that the hiss goes down as the volume goes up leads me to this conclusion.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Well, another likely thing it could be (due to age) is one of the pots might be dirty (volume or balance) Is the hiss (level and tone) always identical on both channels?
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