Just hooked up new DPR1001, getting a hiss from speakers

JonShar
JonShar Posts: 17
edited August 2004 in Electronics
It's barely audible, but it's there just the same. I've not had the time yet to really sit down and tweak the system, that may be all that's wrong...but I was wondering if anyone had any advice on what may be causing this and how to fix it?

I'm using 14AWG Monster Cable speaker wire, and the components below. The hiss was evident even with the source (SACD player) turned off. Thanks for the help...
HK DPR1001
RTi8
CSi5
FXi5
Post edited by JonShar on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,761
    edited August 2004
    Welcome to the forum.

    Is the hiss coming from the tweeters? How far away are you standing when you hear it? Does the hiss get louder when you turn up the volume?

    It's fairly normal to hear a very slight hiss from the tweeters when you are within a foot or less of the speakers.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JonShar
    JonShar Posts: 17
    edited August 2004
    Thanks for the welcome!

    The hiss doesn't get louder when I turn up the volume, and I was directly in front of the speaker when I first heard it. Then I sat on my sofa and thought I could still barely hear it, but that could have been my imagination playing tricks. Location wise it does sound like it's coming from the tweeters.
    HK DPR1001
    RTi8
    CSi5
    FXi5
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,761
    edited August 2004
    Ok, double check the distance that you hear the hiss and if it's just up close to the tweeters then, I'd say it's normal. If you hear it from 6 feet back, you've got a problem or a **** receiver.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JonShar
    JonShar Posts: 17
    edited August 2004
    OK, thanks very much for the quick reply!
    HK DPR1001
    RTi8
    CSi5
    FXi5
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,761
    edited August 2004
    Do you know the THD rating on your receiver?
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JonShar
    JonShar Posts: 17
    edited August 2004
    Yes, 0.19% - good or bad?
    HK DPR1001
    RTi8
    CSi5
    FXi5
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,761
    edited August 2004
    Kinda high. A good rating is 0.05 or less. For example, my amp is rated at 0.002 and I can't hear any hiss.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JonShar
    JonShar Posts: 17
    edited August 2004
    Maybe that's what it is then...I was hesitant about getting that receiver too.
    HK DPR1001
    RTi8
    CSi5
    FXi5
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,761
    edited August 2004
    Is it a inexpensive receiver? Can you return it for something else?
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JonShar
    JonShar Posts: 17
    edited August 2004
    It's the Harman Kardon digital receiver, was about $600. Circuit City have a 30 day return policy, so I can check it out over the next couple of days and return it for something else. Any recommendations?
    HK DPR1001
    RTi8
    CSi5
    FXi5
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,761
    edited August 2004
    Hmmmmm.....I've heard about digital receivers getting rave reviews, but honestly I don't know much about about receivers to recommend one. Did you have this hiss with your previous receiver?
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JonShar
    JonShar Posts: 17
    edited August 2004
    No, but they're new speakers too. I'm going to hook up the old receiver, just a basic Harman Kardon, tomorrow and see what I get.
    HK DPR1001
    RTi8
    CSi5
    FXi5
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,761
    edited August 2004
    Ok, that's a plan. Please report back what you find.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JonShar
    JonShar Posts: 17
    edited August 2004
    I will, and thanks again for your suggestions.
    HK DPR1001
    RTi8
    CSi5
    FXi5
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,761
    edited August 2004
    I should add that even though you can hear the hiss up close and the THD is kinda high (there are worse) you probably won't notice it at all when playing music or videos.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JonShar
    JonShar Posts: 17
    edited August 2004
    OK, the hiss wasn't there quite as much with the old receiver, but it did have a better THD rating. (0.07%) I can't hear it any more than a couple of feet away, and the sound when playing movies/music is extremely clear...probably worth the trade-off.
    HK DPR1001
    RTi8
    CSi5
    FXi5
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,761
    edited August 2004
    Ok, now you know. Enjoy!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jefft1314
    jefft1314 Posts: 169
    edited August 2004
    Interesting. I read somewhere that even the thd levels are higher on dpr recievers there wasn't supposed to actually be any audible differences between the dprs and the best of the rest. I.E. anything with .07 or lower.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited August 2004
    THD SchmeeHD

    The human ear cannot discern less than .5% THD, at ANY frequency. ONE HALF OF ONE PERCENT.

    If you think you can, you are:

    A. Full of ****

    2. Someone NASA is looking for

    D. A Fruit Bat

    That, and since when did Harmonic Distortion = Hiss? If you want a spec to blame, I'd look at S/N Ratios.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JonShar
    JonShar Posts: 17
    edited August 2004
    I didn't say it was the THD.

    What are S/N ratios?

    I just got a Monster Clean Power system, going to hook it up tomorrow and that may make a difference.
    HK DPR1001
    RTi8
    CSi5
    FXi5
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,761
    edited August 2004
    Back into your cage Russ. :D

    I said it could be THD and I stand by that. The difference between 0.19 and 0.07 is audible.

    S/N = signal to noise ratio. That will also play it's role in hiss problems.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JonShar
    JonShar Posts: 17
    edited August 2004
    Thanks man...

    Russ is a feisty little one isn't he? ;)
    HK DPR1001
    RTi8
    CSi5
    FXi5
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited August 2004
    Jon,

    I've read over at HTF or AVS (I don't recall which) that some 1001s have a low level hiss that can be heard when no music is playing from about 2 feet away. This may be similar to your situation.

    If it is only noticeable at rest, I wouldn't consider it a huge issue, since it can't be heard at your seat and it doesn't increase with volume. I don't know if the new tweeter in the RTi-8s have pronounced highs that may be adding a little to the hiss. Other 8 owners can help with that.

    90db of S/N is plenty. Many turntables have only 50-60db.

    It sounds as if this particular receiver just has a little hiss in its noise floor.

    Dennis
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JonShar
    JonShar Posts: 17
    edited August 2004
    Dennis...

    Thanks for the tips. To top things off my right RTi8 sounds a little "hollow"...I noticed it the other day when I first hooked them up but left out of town the next morning, and after playing with it tonight it still appears to be there. :(

    Any idea on what's causing that and what my options are? I've only had the speakers 6 days, but unfortunately ordered them from California.

    Jon
    HK DPR1001
    RTi8
    CSi5
    FXi5
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited August 2004
    "Hollow" ? Switch wires on the back of your receiver and see if the hollowness moves or is actually in the right speaker itself.

    It sounds as if you may need to experiment with different speaker placement. Make sure that the terminals are tight on your speakers and the gold bi-amp straps are in place.

    Is the hiss in all channels when setting your receiver to produce 5 -7 channel stereo?

    Multi channel setups take alot of time to get tweaked, just try every avenue during your trial period.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JonShar
    JonShar Posts: 17
    edited August 2004
    Thanks Dennis...

    I'll try switching wires and tightening the connections tomorrow, it's been a long day and I'm off for some shuteye. I'll reply with what I find tomorrow, and any further advice would be appreciated...thanks for your help!

    Jon
    HK DPR1001
    RTi8
    CSi5
    FXi5
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited August 2004
    Originally posted by F1nut
    The difference between 0.19 and 0.07 is audible.

    You are SERIOUSLY trying to tell me you can decipher harmonic distortion, that differs by .12, Twelve One Hundreths of a Percent?

    I'm gonna throw the BS flag again, your cat might be able to, but you certainly can't.

    Feisty? Maybe. I just shoot straight, and don't want you chasing something down that has NOTHING to do with the issue you are reporting.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JonShar
    JonShar Posts: 17
    edited August 2004
    Originally posted by RuSsMaN


    Feisty? Maybe. I just shoot straight, and don't want you chasing something down that has NOTHING to do with the issue you are reporting.


    I was kidding, hence the winky.
    HK DPR1001
    RTi8
    CSi5
    FXi5
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,761
    edited August 2004
    I hear better than my cat.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited August 2004
    Here's a winky, so we can all feel warm and fuzzy.

    ;)

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter