[jazzchaos]

Hi folks,

I am new here and getting back into 2 channel audio...I have a Sensation w/tube buffer and battery pack powering a pair of Zu Omen speakers. The tube buffer injects quite a bit of white noise into the signal. I have switched from the stock JJ tube to a Create Audio 12AX7...the noise is a little better (as is the audio...that tube is special) but is still present to the point where it is a distraction - the wife even notices! When I switch the tube buffer off, the noise is virtually gone. does anyone have any other recommendations? my new tube only has about 5 hours on it. the high efficiency speakers are also a factor in this as well, I suspect. Any ideas or recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Sean

[wsturner]

I have the same setup as you - including the Create Audio 12AX7 tube (and yes...it is special).

But I am driving ProAc 1SC speakers.

When the music isn't playing, I can hear hiss - if I put my ear right next to the tweeter.

However, when the music is playing, all I hear is sweet, sweet, sweetness

At portions of a song, when the music stops, everything goes completely black. My speakers are not as efficient as yours, so this may cause a difference?

Scott

[jazzchaos]

Thanks for the input. I am hoping the tube will break in a little and make a difference. I know in guitar amps, it can take about 20 hours to break in a pre-amp tube...I am guessing that will be the case here as well.

Sean

[RDavidson]

I'm running Monitor Audio RS6s which are quite sensitive. Not Zu league, but still significantly above average sensitivity. I have a GE 5751 triple mica black plate tube in my buffer (using 30V 130W PSU) and I can also hear white noise if I put my ear within about a foot of the tweeter. It is a constant hiss and doesn't change with volume increases or decreases. From my listening position (8-9 feet away) I can't hear it. My tube has plenty of break-in hours on it. Note that my One.2 emits some white noise through my little Paradigm Atom v6s also. In my case, I think the hiss is primarily from the PSUs.....but I'm not absolutely certain. Never bothered me enough to investigate further.
What speaker cables are you using? Is your amp plugged straight into the wall? Just thinking that maybe you could be getting some EMI or RFI somewhere and the buffer is possibly "amplifying" the effect of it. Just a thought. I could very easily be wrong.

[Jason T]

tripath chips and the tube buffers are sensitive and any electronics right next to or underneath the sensation can introduce noise to the circuit, try moving things at least 6" away and dont run a crt monitor or tv anywhere near the amp (I learned that one the hard way  )

my speakers are 88db 3ohms and can take around 150 watts, I to can hear the "air" in the sound but only if I place my ear right up against the speaker.

keep in mind that if your amp is new it will need break in time, I leave my amp on 24/7 because I'm constantly changing things and upgrading caps.
I'm still looking for that "perfect" sound for my ear/room. I'm darn close right now with these huge caps (ClarityCap SA-3.3uf)





 

[morganc]

I had a friend bring the exact same amp over to my place and we paired it with the Omen Defs.   There was no hiss at all....dead silent.  And it sounded quite good actually.  He was running his off of a DIY battery BTW. 

[jazzchaos]

Let me try moving some things around. The amp is directly above my power conditioner...maybe that is interfering with things.

Sean

[wsturner]

Jason,

Wonder what would happen if you put a .01uf Sonicap Platinum in parallel with those massive 3.3uf ClarityCap SAs?

Scott

[Jason T]

I'm tempted to try a Clarity MR as a bypass, once they are fully burned in I can try a platinum to see what happens, I'll be honest here.
I build my own speakers and tune them to my liking, that being said I have tried the bypass cap with different combo's and have not cared for it in my system, things become harsh and sharp.
I have a picky ear and have medical hearing issues (not really problems because my hearing is extra sensitive) I also have tinnitus that I have to deal with and get migraines so all of these things play a part, however I have damn good hearing just ask my kids don't ask Cami though, wives dont count, that's selective hearing 

[wsturner]

Well we obsess over the minutia of capacitors, wire, etc....

But I think we can all agree that there is something special about the Tripath sound. And nobody does it better than Virtue Audio!

[Jason T]

I agree 
without having the Tripath chip at the front of our amps all of the mods and tweaking we do would be in vein.