Faint hissing noise: avoidable?

Tbeers · #1 08-12-2005, 01:03 PM

When I connect my AI Clarus to my LDS 3-way 2x8, there is always a slight hissing noise while the amp is turned on. I never notice it once I am playing, but when I stop and listen, it is always there.

So, enlighten me, the amplifier newbie that I am. What could this hiss be and how can I get rid of it? I want sound so clean I could eat off of it, I want complete silence when I stop playing!

JimmyM · #2 08-12-2005, 02:40 PM

What do you set your treble at? Hissing is often a result of goosing the treble too high. It can also just be something that the amp will do regardless of where the treble's set. Some amps are noisier than others. But they all have a tiny bit of hiss just because they're electronic sound reproduction equipment, so you'll never get completely rid of it.

Phil Smith · #3 08-12-2005, 03:11 PM

Many cabs with tweeters have this issue. If your cab has a tweeter attentuator on the back you can back off of it and that usually corrects the problem.

pat.p · #4 08-12-2005, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbeers

When I connect my AI Clarus to my LDS 3-way 2x8, there is always a slight hissing noise while the amp is turned on. I never notice it once I am playing, but when I stop and listen, it is always there.

So, enlighten me, the amplifier newbie that I am. What could this hiss be and how can I get rid of it? I want sound so clean I could eat off of it, I want complete silence when I stop playing!

Hi.
I have similar problem with Crate acoustic amp (2x8, tweeter).
It is very loud, I don't know why. Maybe the problem is in the environment (all electric stuff in the house???

)
When I plug my small GK it's much better, almost completely silent. I don't know, what's going on...

Tbeers · #5 08-12-2005, 05:16 PM

I usually turn the tweeter down to zero because I like the DB sound better that way. And that does take some of the "edge" off the hiss. But it is still there, coming from the 5" driver and both of the 8" drivers. I am going to try getting a new speakon cable, my current one came with my AI Contra and seems to be a piece of junk... it's all bent and dusty.

fdeck · #6 08-12-2005, 09:32 PM

Every amp has some residual hiss that enters the system after the final gain control, so you can't do anything about it. It can vary by as much as 15 dB from one amp design to another among mainstream products. Also, it depends on how sensitive your speakers are at high frequency.