"White noise hiss" through speakers.


Hello fellow music lovers, I have a newbie question so be gentle with me. I replaced my Creek 5350 with separates. I’m now using a Belles 21A Preamp with a Musical Fidelity A308cr. When I used the Creek, I could turn the Creek up full volume, and with no source playing there was not a single hint of noise through the speakers. Now, with the Belles & MF there is a faint hiss audible at 2 feet or less even with the volume at zero. Needless to say when I turn the volume up (with no source playing) the “white noise hiss” increases noticeably. Is this normal with a high powered amp? The MF is 225 watts per.
The speakers are Spendor S9s.

Any input is appreciated, THANKS!
tgyeti

Showing 1 response by tgyeti

Arni hit the nail on the head. I just inserted the Creek in the line as a pre (it has "pre outs") and it is dead quiet when used with the MF. I now have to do some A - B comparisons to see if what I gain in sound improvements with the Bells is worth the hiss. The musician in me says I don't want that hiss, I want the "black nothingness" in-between the notes to be BLACK! lol.

Thanks everybody!