Hissing – how much is normal

[Kobus]

I read a recent thread where hissing was mentioned. It made me wonder as to how much of this is normal.

With nothing playing, everything on and pre-amp not muted, up to what distance from your tweeter can you hear hissing?

When I listened I could hear a hiss with my ear 20cm + (nearly a foot) from the tweeter. Ambient must be quiet and my head tilted to the tweeter.

This bugs me now, is it normal? If not where do I start to look.

Kobus

[DM3000 Owner]

I read a recent thread where hissing was mentioned. It made me wonder as to how much of this is normal.

With nothing playing, everything on and pre-amp not muted, up to what distance from your tweeter can you hear hissing?

When I listened I could hear a hiss with my ear 20cm + (nearly a foot) from the tweeter. Ambient must be quiet and my head tilted to the tweeter.

This bugs me now, is it normal? If not where do I start to look.

Kobus

I had hiss when I first bought my N801's. After changing out preamps, all gone. If it bugs you it should not be there.

[WI Rotel]

There will always be a little hiss due to the electronics. However, if there is significant clearly audible hiss one foot away your electronics might be damaged or not of the highest quality. With my rotel equipment, 1068/1095 your ear must be almost against the tweeter to hear any hiss. The amp itself, however, does have a slight hum from its box which is not emitted from the speakers.

[KEF]

I read a recent thread where hissing was mentioned. It made me wonder as to how much of this is normal.

With nothing playing, everything on and pre-amp not muted, up to what distance from your tweeter can you hear hissing?

When I listened I could hear a hiss with my ear 20cm + (nearly a foot) from the tweeter. Ambient must be quiet and my head tilted to the tweeter.

This bugs me now, is it normal? If not where do I start to look.

Kobus

At about 50mm away from the tweeter I hear very slight static - but it does not bother me in the slightest.

[caleb]

Kobus, why are you trying to find fault with your system when it is not necessary?

At your normal listening position - can you hear any hiss??

If not then why are you TRYING to hear it any closer?

Sorry mate - just taking the "HISS" :-)

[ChrisssB]

Kobus: This hiss is normal you dont have to worry at all. I've got a bit of it 2(I have to put my ear very close to the tweeter).
Sometime ago when I was looking for electronics (as you might remember from club classe), I visited lots of shops and auditioned lots of hi end systems. The hiss was always there, except when electronics had choke regulation. I found that I preffer the hiss cause it wasnt audible (except if you put your ear very close to the tweeter) than systems with choke regulation where the sound seemed ummm "different" (not natural in my ears)

Regards Chris

[Briz vegas]

I had no hiss until I added a valve (tube) pre amp. Now I have a little hiss but it is only audible at about a foot from the speaker (max). The pre also improved the sound considerably so I am more than happy. Of course a less sensitive speaker would eliminate the hiss.

In my opinion what you describe is a non-issue.

[Iggurk]

The hiss could also be there because of a ground loop.

That's something you can check to see if it helps to remove or reduce that.

[misterdoggy]

Kobus,

I have no hiss.......

I can hear a slight hiss if the music is really cranked up loud and there is a moment of silence, but hiss in that scenario is normal. Hiss without a recording on could be due to grounding issues.

[Glenee]

Have you added or have on any Halogen or Flourecent light fixtures. Like new lamps or new lighting. If you do unplug it. Halogens are the worst and it could be in the other end of the House.
Glenee

[dknightd]

Kobus,
Does the hiss depend on the volume setting? That might give you a clue where it comes from. I've never heard any stereo that did not hiss if you turned the volume up to max with nothing playing. Some hissed more than others, but they all hiss. Sounds like your level of hiss is in the typical range. Does it bother you when listening to music?

[GregLett]

I hate hiss :M when I had a Rotel pre their was some hiss. since I've had the Prima Luna my rig is dead quite. I can turn the volume all the way up with ever thing on, no music playing and hear nothing from my speakers. I feel that if you can hear a hiss when things are idle, and you turn the volume up, that hiss is added to your playback chain.

[Kobus]

your electronics might be damaged or not of the highest quality.

that's what I want to establish (not the quality part )

At your normal listening position - can you hear any hiss??

No, I said 1 foot +-30cm

If not then why are you TRYING to hear it any closer?

I want to see if it is normal. I paid big bucks for a top system.

Kobus: This hiss is normal you dont have to worry at all. I've got a bit of it 2(I have to put my ear very close to the tweeter).
Sometime ago when I was looking for electronics (as you might remember from club classe), I visited lots of shops and auditioned lots of hi end systems. The hiss was always there, except when electronics had choke regulation. I found that I preffer the hiss cause it wasnt audible (except if you put your ear very close to the tweeter) than systems with choke regulation where the sound seemed ummm "different" (not natural in my ears)

Regards Chris

Thanks Chris, reassuring.

In my opinion what you describe is a non-issue.

I hope so.

Does the hiss depend on the volume setting?

No.

And it does not appear to be a grounding issue.

Anyway, thanks to all that contributed.

If anyone can add something further, it will be much appreciated.

Regards

Kobus

[RobP]

I had a very slight low level hiss with my Rotel setup, now with my Classe setup there is none.

[ShadowZA]

No hiss on my present setup. I wonder if using balanced cables between processor to power amps & sub has something to do with it. I now also use power filtration units (with surge protection) to protect the electronic units + sub.

I recall having slight low level hiss when I was using Rotel stuff (I did not use power filtration then).

[GregLett]

I don't have Balance cables, or power conditioning, and I have 0 noise.
Seems the people who have Rotel had some hiss?

[RebelMan]

Hissing is a natural by-product of the design and is normal in most situations. In some cases where hissing is excessive it can indicate a problem further up the line. For those that detect no hissing of any kind can only mean one of two things. Your hearing is not as accute as others that can detect it or the equipment is using voltage relays and/or regulators in the signal pathways which can degrade performance.

[Alaric]

I can power up my CD player and integrated (nothing playing) and turn the volume knob full right and hear nothing. If I select my phono input (tube pre) I get a definite noise . Not so much a hiss , more of a noise "presence".

[miner]

I had a very slight hiss with my Rotel RC-1070/RB-1070 setup. None with RC-1090/RB-1092/RLC-1040.