(21-Nov-2018, 23:56)Greg Wrote: Be aware. The more sensitive your speakers, the more promenant the hiss will be. My speakers are 90dB sensitive. I have to accept that Devialet designed their phonostage anticipating speakers with less sensitivity.
I’ve not tried the shorted plug test but have them readily available so I’ll give it a go tomorrow. Not sure what this will tell us other than what we already know. The D phonostage is basically noisy.
It is indeed true that the level of hiss for any given level of volume gain will be higher with more sensitive speakers. However, with high efficiency speakers the volume level of the music will also be proportionally higher for any given level of volume gain. So the "hiss to music" ratio will be more or less the same irrespective of speaker efficiency. What matters is the output level of the cartridge, a low output for the cartridge means you need more gain on the phono stage, this most definitely increases the level of hiss.
1000 Pro - KEF Blade - iFi Zen Stream - Mutec REF10 - MC3+USB - Pro-Ject Signature 12
