What cause tweeters hiss ?


I could hear hiss sound when i place my ears close to both tweeters (ATC SCM 11 speaker) when Denafrips Ares II is connected with interconnect (XLR or RCA) during power on/off/standby. Hiss sound disappear only until power cord is disconnected.

At first I thought it’s amplifier (Accuphase E280), then I bypass Ares II and connecting Sony CD player with RCA out to amplifier, no hiss can be heard from tweeters.

Due to curiosity, i connected my Topping D90 with similar arrangement, I could hear hiss sound until I unplugged power cord.

During the above test, music is stopped, amplifier is turned on but at zero volume. All my music source, DAC, amplifier are from the same power source/circuit with Novaris Power Filter.

Can’t hear the hiss at my usual listening spot though.

What could be the culprit that create this hiss, DAC ? Grounding Issue?

 

auronthas

Showing 3 responses by clearthinker

If the volume is turned a long way up a low level hiss will usually be audible if you put your ear close to the tweeter.  The hiss is a noise product of the amplifier but will be at a very low level relative to that of any signal that is connected (don't connect a signal at that volume level).  The level of the hiss can be defined as its level relative to that of the signal - signal to noise, S/N, ratio.  In a well-designed amplifier the noise level will be less than 1/1000th of the signal level.

All amplifiers generate noise, but if the amp is functioning correctly it will always be inaudible from the listening chair at any sensible volume level.

@auronthas 

I am very surprised, assuming you are saying that when you select CD input on your amp/preamp and turn the volume up with no signal you do not hear hiss; whereas it is audible when you select other inputs and do the same.

I am not clear how the selection of a different input can alter the noise generated by the (power)amp.

Re your initial post, I don't think hiss is likely to be caused by grounding issues; they invariably lead to hum.

And, frankly, DACs can cause all kinds of issues.  I regard them as the black art of digital sound reproduction and its Achilles heel.