Phono stage inquiry

I disconnected my tonearm cable from the Whest & the hiss is still present. Also I didn't mention that with the hiss there's also a mild hum. The chassis of the Whest is grounded.
Also when I disconnected the XLRs from the Whest & increased the volume on the phono stage input I could hear my CD transport playing. 

Thanks for the replies guys. It's good to know it's normal... so it's the design of the Whest...?
@yogiboy what is your phono stage?

Thanks Bill.

Thanks for the info Steve, I'll try that.

Thanks again for the replies guys.

@lewm  it's interesting you say that because I have increased the gain setting to 100. Even though, I would have thought it should still be fairly quiet...

@almarg  here are the specs -

RIAA curve accuracy: 17Hz – 20.5Khz +/- 0.2dB or better

Frequency response: 5Hz – 62Khz +/- 1.0dB

Working band: 15Hz – 60Khz

MM Gain: 40dB @ 47Kohm

MC Gain 50dB - 72dB to suit all 0.15 – 2.5mV cartridges

Cartridge Loading 50ohm - 47Kohm in 6 steps

THD+N: 0.002%

My pre is a Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE stage 2... I have contacted EJ & asked about the crosstalk.