LSI15 concern

LitoZacky

There's a constant noise from the LSI15's tweeter that's very audible when u put your ears close to it. Volume increase does not increase the tweeter's noise. The source is from the XPA-2 amp to the speakers. Nothing else.

kawizx9r

Hey LitoZacky!

Now, when do your tweeters cause this noise? Is it when your source isn't playing or during playback? It's pretty vague so you'll need to explain things a bit better so we can figure out what the problem is

Btw, Welcome to CP!

-Freddy

LitoZacky

Playing during playback or not there's still a noise. If music is playing I can still hear the noise at -60db. I tried unhooking everything except for the amp to the speaker and there's still the noise. Is it just a noise when the speakers are powered ?
My guess is that if the tweeter should be totally silence when nothing is playing then I think it's the wire problem. It's just a regular 12-gauge speaker wire with gold-plated banana plug. I placed an order on an AudioQuest Type 4 speaker cable on June 12th which should be coming anytime soon.

kawizx9r

Hmm, have you tried connecting the amp to a different outlet and turning it on to see if the 'noise' persists?

This sounds like some sort of ground-loop although that normally causes a 60hz hum (which wouldn't be coming out of your tweeters).

I'd suggest trying that, or hook up another pair of speakers in place of the LSi15's and see if the noise is still there.

Another thing, is it from both tweeters or just one?

LitoZacky

Both speakers. Only tweeters.

LitoZacky

I just tested on an Infinity P362 and the noise is also coming from its tweeter. Now we know it is either the speaker cable or the XPA-2

kawizx9r

Least we now know it's not the LSi's themselves.

Try hooking up the amp to a different outlet!

LitoZacky

Just tried another outlet. No luck. Thanks for helping I will wait for tomorrow and use AQ type 4 cable to have another test. The back of my Plasma tv makes the same sound as the tweeter.

I am planning to replace an Auzentech prelude soundcard because it is too bright. I want another soundcard specializing in stereo that has a warm sound and I am looking at an Xonar Essence STX. But I don't use headphone so I don't know if I should buy it or not.

nooshinjohn

I give my nod to the amp being the source of the noise. I smell upgrade potential here...

kawizx9r

+1 John, I'm thinking it's the Emo as well

As for the soundcard Lito, why not invest in an external DAC?

LitoZacky

I just bought the damn Amp and received it on June 17th. LOL.
I don't know how external DAC works. How should I connect the DAC to the soundcard or do I even need a soundcard if I have the external DAC ? Nontheless I would like one that is warm sounding. Is "Laid back" almost the same as "warm" sounding ?

Just posted a thread about this on Emotiva's forum. I hope there's no need for return. The amp is almost 80 lbs and I almost broke my back carrying it last time.

kawizx9r

Lol sucks to hear about the amp, hopefully it's just something minor and you root out the culprit tomorrow?

As for the DAC, just run a digital signal (optical/coaxial/usb) from your PC to the external DAC. Utilize the analog outputs on the DAC and run that out to your preamp/receiver and you're set. The DAC processes the signal from the source and sends it out to your pre/pro much better than your PC would.

LitoZacky

I heard that optical/coaxial is low bandwidth and I only play FLAC files from my PC. I have no doubt an external DAC from cambridge for instance will sound better than any soundcard ATM. Could the optical signal that is transferred be measured in Kb or is it a different measure ?

Just used the same speaker wire and connect the speaker to the receiver and there's still that noise from the tweeter. I can only conclude its either the speaker wire or the unclean power.

kawizx9r

Maybe someone can shed some light on the subject, as I don't know how to explain it too well myself.

I just trust my ears, and they tell me my music sounds much better through my DAC than my PC's soundcard or even the Denon DVD2800 I was using for a source.

F1nut

It is not unusal to hear a slight hiss coming from a tweeter when your ear is right up next to it.

LitoZacky

do you know what cause it and is there a way to fix it ?

F1nut

When I say that it is not unusal, that means that it is normal.

Zitro

If no source is playing, my speakers through the NAD are DEAD QUIET until I turn the volume up to 95%, then there is SLIGHT noise. If you can hear it at -60 db's, I don't know man. Shoulda got a NAD

cfrizz

It might be a ground loop issue which is common when you add an amp. Go out & buy a 3 to 2 prong plug. Plug the amp cord into the plug & put the plug into the wall. If the noise goes away problem solved.

I came scrambling on here when I first got my Parasound amp because I had a loud hum coming from my speakers once I connected the amp. Got a cheater plug & been happy ever since. It is the quickest & cheapest fix for a ground loop problem.

Although as Jesse pointed out, if you put your ear right to the speaker, you will hear a slight hiss, this is letting you know that the amp is supplying power to your speakers. If you can't hear it when you step away from the speakers, & it doesn't affect the music, don't worry about it.

PSOVLSK

cfrizz wrote: »

If you can't hear it when you step away from the speakers, & it doesn't affect the music, don't worry about it.

+1

I had the same issue and changing IC's helped reduce the hum. It's now I slight hum that I can ignore.

Face

Sometimes shielded interconnects can help.

LitoZacky

I don't like ebay. Shipping takes too long not to mention its not free. Bought an AQ Type 4 cables on June 12th and I'm still waiting for it.

F1nut

PSOVLSK wrote: »

+1

I had the same issue and changing IC's helped reduce the hum. It's now I slight hum that I can ignore.

A hum and a hiss are two very different things. While a slight hiss with your ear up next to the tweeter can be normal, a hum is not.