Pre-amp causing loud hiss from speakers


I have a BAT VK3i with Quicksilver Horn mono-blocks and Klipsch LaScala's. This setup is dead quiet, however when I recently hooked up Rogue Audio M-180 mono-blocks there was a loud hiss coming from the speakers well past the listening spot. This noise was constant even with the volume down to zero and occurred with either balanced or rca connectors.

When I took the BAT out of the equation there was now only a faint hiss coming from speakers but one had to put your ear to it to hear it. After disconnecting all components from the BAT and putting it back in - the noise returns. I tried a Conrad Johnson Classic and there was no noise.

So does anyone have any ideas as to why the BAK and Rogue Audios amps do not play nice together?

Thanks
Ag insider logo xs@2xdeadlift

Showing 7 responses by deadlift

I will experiment more with the IC's and binding posts, but I fear as noted the gain architecture is way off - oh well part of the journey. I do wonder if it's not inappropriate here to ask what a set of Rogues would be worth with less than 30 minutes run time?

Thanks
I will give it a shot nothing to lose. Those attenuators are RCA would using balanced attenuators make any really difference?

thanks again
The interconnects are from Transparent Audio probably about 10 years old. I really want to try to make this work before heading back to the dealer.
I suppose I could use the Conrad Johnson with the Rogue's as for whatever reason that combo producing no noise and leave the BAT's with the Quicksilvers and go back and forth as I wish....
That's what I noticed as well, I thought the situation would get worse with the CJ not better. I did re-tube the BAT awhile back I will detail the tubes I put in tomorrow - perhaps there are better tube choices.
Just some updates - the balanced cables I was using were Transparent Audio Balanced Musiclink plus. As for the tubes in the BAT they were purchased from Upscale Audio - 4 Electro-harmonix 6922 and 2 Pope 6V6GT.

I will spend some more time this weekend checking cables etc.
Wanted to add an update to this: I found a Brent Jesse on these forums and contacted him, he felt it could very well be the 6922's in the BAT causing the issue. I purchased four tubes from him, checked just to make sure the issue had not resolved itself and then swapped in his tubes. Now only dead silence with either balanced or RCA connectors - life is good.

I did add some of those attenuators as well which are working very well. So thanks to all for your help and support.