Hi, Jim,
It turns out it was the DSD Sr causing the problem. I could hit the attenuator and that would silence the hiss, but then I’d have to turn up the volume sometimes to maximum to get the loudness level I wanted.
I was told the solution would be to get a Signature pre-amp. Instead, I bought a Cary DMS-600 to replace the DSD, and the problem is gone. Plus, the DMS is a superior player in all categories compared to the DSD (sonically, I think the DMS is better, but that’s an individual call. They’re both wonderful to listen to).
interestingly enough i had to take my preamp out of the system for a bit, and drove the amps direct from the DSD DAC. still got some tube noise. not sure if i really understand why but i think with tubes, that may always be a bit of an issue. however it really is not noticeable from my listening spot.
I’ve never had a system that does not produce at least a little noise, but it has always been limited to ear-pressed-to-the-speaker white noise. This is not that.
I had / have hiss with SE into the BHK 300s. XLR DAC (not PS) → XLR Pre (not PS) → XLR BHK and it is dead quiet. I mean speaker on ear quiet.
SE I can hear hiss at the listening position.
I didn’t have hiss on my system before dropping-in the BHK. Changing power cables / power “strips” changed the amount of hiss but did not eliminate it. These amps love their balanced chains. Worth the extra effort / costs… I really like the BHKs.
I received the tubes yesterday and let them sit open so they can warm up; it was a whopping 10 degrees outside yesterday. Because I have big hands I’m going to have to use needle-nose pliers to make the jumper adjustment. The blue transistor immediately above each jumper will present a challenge since their positioning does not give enough headroom for an easy jumper removal and reinsertion. By the way, your video on the subject was very helpful.
I managed to adjust the jumper back to 12V and insert the tubes James had so (amazingly) quickly sent to me. After an hour of warm-up I turned the volume to 70 with no signal passing through the system and the tubes were DEAD silent. By that I mean, I put my ear right up to the speaker and no hiss, no nothing. I then turned the volume down, put on an album and left the room for 25 minutes.
Flipping the album over and sitting down for a listen, I noticed no sibilance and a more defined center stage where, in classical music, a portion of the violists, the brass and the woodwinds are typically located. The tubes definitely need burn-in time, but I have to say now PS Audio matched the tube to the preamp expertly.
Thank you James and the rest of the brothers who help me resolve this.
