New to me Amp...

jmwest1970
jmwest1970 Posts: 846
edited February 2011 in Electronics
I picked up a Parasound HCD-1200 last week and am really enjoying the difference it makes with fullness at low listening levels. However, one thing I've noticed is that with the gain on the amp turned more than half way up I hear an annoying hiss from the speakers. Before I put the amp into the system I didn't hear this with my Cambridge Integrated. That integrated is now the preamp for the Parasound. I'm curious if those of you with Parasound exposure find the hiss normal, or is it more likely because I'm using the integrated amp as my pre?
Post edited by jmwest1970 on
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited January 2011
    I've got a 2250 and a 1000A with the gains turned to max and I get no hiss. Do you have anything else you can hook the amp to? An avr with preouts or something? Might be a good first check to see if it is the amp or the pre.
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
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    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2011
    Probabally something to do with the pre,, do you have a cd with variable outputs,,if so,,hook it up directly to the amp and see,,,do you have CATV anywhere in the loop?
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited January 2011
    I've got the HCA 1200 mkii amp and have my gains turned to the max. I can hear a faint hiss if I get within a foot of my mains, It's easy to fixate on it,but really, when you move back to your listening area, you don't even notice it.
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  • jmwest1970
    jmwest1970 Posts: 846
    edited January 2011
    george daniel wrote: »
    Probabally something to do with the pre,, do you have a cd with variable outputs,,if so,,hook it up directly to the amp and see,,,do you have CATV anywhere in the loop?

    There's CATV in the rack, but it's only hooked to the TV via HDMI. The only thing in common is the Panamax 5300. The Cambridge DVD has variable outputs. I'll give that a try.
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  • jmwest1970
    jmwest1970 Posts: 846
    edited January 2011
    Polkie2009 wrote: »
    I've got the HCA 1200 mkii amp and have my gains turned to the max. I can hear a faint hiss if I get within a foot of my mains, It's easy to fixate on it,but really, when you move back to your listening area, you don't even notice it.

    This is much worse. If I turn it up more the 3/4 gain I can hear the hiss at my listening position about 10' away.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2011
    I don't like those pots in amps. You should be able to just install a jumper in place of the pot. This would allow full gain in the amp just like most other amps.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited February 2011
    jmwest1970 wrote: »
    This is much worse. If I turn it up more the 3/4 gain I can hear the hiss at my listening position about 10' away.

    Tap the gain knobs and see if you get any noise...
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  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited February 2011
    Both Parasounds that I've owned are dead quiet.
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  • k0tuynh
    k0tuynh Posts: 143
    edited February 2011
    Buy this ..

    http://www.amazon.com/VSIS-EU-Cable-Ground-Loop-Isolator/dp/B0017I3K9M/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1296687659&sr=8-5

    Worked for me ..
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited February 2011
    ^Hiss and hum are two different things.

    Could be time for Caig...
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • k0tuynh
    k0tuynh Posts: 143
    edited February 2011
    Tour2ma wrote: »
    ^Hiss and hum are two different things.

    Could be time for Caig...

    Oh my bad ...sorry. OP please ignore my post.
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  • jmwest1970
    jmwest1970 Posts: 846
    edited February 2011
    As GD suggested I connected the stereo out on my Cambridge Audio DVD 89 directly to the amp and heard no hiss. It was as quiet as I can expect from mid-fi gear. It's definitely the 640a. I suppose this will hasten the search for a new pre. I need to win the lottery to get my hands on a Dodd Battery Preamp. I heard one of these at the Lone Star Audio Fest a couple of years ago setup by Russman and fell in love with it.
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited February 2011
    Cool...

    george,
    Why wouldn't the hiss have been heard from the Cambridge's amp section?
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • jmwest1970
    jmwest1970 Posts: 846
    edited February 2011
    What do you guys think about a Jolida JD50A for a pre until I can find that miracle to buy the Dodd? I only have 4 sources, Blu-Ray, SACD, Squeezebox, and Xbox so I think it would hold me over.
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