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Turntable Hiss

Hi,
I just got a turntable off ebay. I love the sound of it. I can not believe more people don't listen to records.
Here is the question:
I have to turn the volume about 25% higher when I am listening to a record (versus listening to CDs or radio.) At the same time, I get a hissing noise. I still prefer to listen to the LP but is there a way to decrease the hissing noise?
My equipment:

Technics SL-QD33 turntable (w/ audio-technica 8008 cartridge)
Cambridge Audio 540-P Phono-preamp
Cambridge Audio 840A Integrated Amp
Audio Physic Yara Evolution Speakers

The cables between the amps and the turntable are cheap kind. I do connect the ground wire of the turntable to the screw on the phono preamp.

Many thanks
katie617

Showing 1 response by bdgregory

bdgregory
1,726 posts
 
. . . second what Al said.

but, how much hiss do you actually have? Can you hear it from your listening position? . . . from 5 ft away from the speakers? . . . ear next to the speakers?

The 25% volume level difference is pretty common in my experience. It's possible to find phone stages with more gain but I've found the extra gain doesn't necessarily make it sound better. I've learned to tolerate the volume diff, and some level of higher noise floor after realizing I was chasing my tail (and had run out of money). What matters is does the vinyl rig best the CD? Mine does by a wide margin even with the volume issue and a little noise (which is undetectable from my listening position.
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