2. amps-preamps
  3. 1340246472

Will An Attenuator Help Reduce This Hiss?

i've got a little bit of tweeter 'HASSSHHHH' that i'm looking to reduce. as soon as i turn on the amp and preamp it becomes audible. placing the preamp into standby, mute, or on an unused input does nothing to change the level. changing the volume of the preamp does nothing to change the level. the only thing i've found that changes it is fully powering down the preamp - this eliminates it entirely.

i've been advised to insert a line level attenuator (endler, goldenjack, etc) between the amp and preamp at the amp inputs to bleed off some gain and reduce this noise.

will an attenuator reduce the 'HASSSHHHH' sound when reducing the level, or even muting the preamp, does not change things at all?

thanks for any inputs,
Scott
srosenberg

Showing 2 responses by srosenberg

srosenberg's avatar
srosenberg OP
209 posts
 
thanks for all the great insights, all. to clarify a few questions...

the speaker i am hearing this trough is a Wilson Cub 2 used as a center channel. as ralph surmised, it is relatively efficient at 95 db.

Al, great memory! yes, at one point i was uing the W4S DAC2 as a preamp (can't say enough good things about that piece) however, i have since reconfigured my system enabling both 2-channel and multi-channel operation. the preamp driving the center channel is a Meridian 568.2mm and the power amp is a McCormack DNA-HT1. the interconnects between the amp and preamp are single ended, as the HT1 only offers RCA inputs.
srosenberg's avatar
srosenberg OP
209 posts
 
thanks, all, for the EXTREMELY detailed and technical feedback - this is a fantastic community.

Ralph, the performance of your gear is exceeded only by your commitment to this community and your customers.

Al and Kirkus, while much of your exchange was well beyond my comprehension, i do appreciate the education. thanks for taking the time to comment here - i found this to be a very enlightening read.

Rgs92, i'm not sure how to contact you. seems like the 'contact member' feature was not carried over to the new audiogon system.

Thanks again, all, i've now got a few new avenues to pursue.
Scott
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