How to reduce hiss with phono at high volumes?

[Greg]

Actually, this thread has inspired me to experiment with the Phono stage again as I have upgraded to a D250 since I last did this. I spent yesterday morning comparing the Devialet phono stage with my Ray Samuels F-117 Nighthawk phono amplifier. I’ve concluded that with the Nighthawk plugged into the D line level input, the overall sound is noticeably better and also there is the benefit of absolutely no hiss. Now whilst the Nighthawk has a ‘giant killer’ reputation, it remains in my opinion a relatively moderate product in terms of general phono stage quality. I am now inclined to go on the hunt for a top quality phono amp. Shame on Devialet for incorporating a very mediocre phono stage. The rest of the amp demands much better.