VDS Posted July 16, 2021 Author Share Posted July 16, 2021 I just realized that my Xilica is set to 4 dB gain on the high frequency amp. Low FQ amp at zero. Thinking this might exacerbate the hiss from the high frequency driver. If I understand correctly this means 30db preamp gain, 20 dB amp gain, 4db Xilica gain = 54 dB total gain into high frequency driver. I assuming this much gain will make any noise much more prominent. I’ve only had an interest in hifi for 18 months, so go easy if this is obvious to everybody ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebse2a3 Posted July 16, 2021 Share Posted July 16, 2021 Does reducing the Output Channel Level in the Xilica change the HISS level? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebse2a3 Posted July 16, 2021 Share Posted July 16, 2021 1 hour ago, VDS said: 30db preamp gain, I suggest you adjust the pre-amp gain initially so that your volume control is around the 12:00 o'clock to 3:00 o'clock range for normal listening levels and Volume Control about full ON at the maximum level you are likely to want to listen at. You can fine tune it later once we understand where all you have gain issues. You have a very nice pre-amp and an unusual option of adjusting gain for optimizing its gain for your system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted July 16, 2021 Share Posted July 16, 2021 1 hour ago, VDS said: I just realized that my Xilica is set to 4 dB gain on the high frequency amp. Low FQ amp at zero. Thinking this might exacerbate the hiss from the high frequency driver. Probably just the opposite. It's been my experience that the Xilica is actually dead quiet itself. Using more Xilica gain and less preamp and power amplifier gain is probably the direction you're needing to go--assuming it isn't the noise floor of the amplifier (which you haven't yet reported back on). The simple test of disconnecting the inputs to the power amplifier, then listening for hiss will probably tell you what you need to know. It's more than likely the inherent noise floor of your amplifier, or it's the gain structure that's causing the preamp to inject more of its noise floor. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted July 16, 2021 Share Posted July 16, 2021 Take your time to think it through. No rush, no distractions. If in doubt, ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 8 hours ago, mikebse2a3 said: Does reducing the Output Channel Level in the Xilica change the HISS level? I have found that adding gain in the Xilica makes it (the Xilica itself or my system?) noisier. This maybe just my system YMMV. I have therefore backed any gain that I had before out. I then added gain stages after my mixer but before the Xilica in the analog domain. All the gain you dial in the Xilica is digital gain(done in the DSP). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VDS Posted July 17, 2021 Author Share Posted July 17, 2021 Tried connecting signal to ground with an old rca cable, amp on, speaker cables connected, dead, super dead quiet. As of now Monoprice cables from Xilica to Jensen, Wireworld cables, (xlr to rca) from Jenson to Pass. better cable from Xilica to Jensen helped a little. lowered pre amp gain from 30 to 10db, noticeable improvement. lowered high frequency gain on Xilica from 4.5 to zero, hiss almost completely gone. So the Jensen removed the high pitch whine. Better cables helped remove a little hiss Reducing the preamp gain and Xilica gain took away almost all the rest. I learned a lot from this experience, thanks for so much help! Once again you guys rallied! Ted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebse2a3 Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 13 minutes ago, VDS said: Tried connecting signal to ground with an old rca cable, amp on, speaker cables connected, dead, super dead quiet. As of now Monoprice cables from Xilica to Jensen, Wireworld cables, (xlr to rca) from Jenson to Pass. better cable from Xilica to Jensen helped a little. lowered pre amp gain from 30 to 10db, noticeable improvement. lowered high frequency gain on Xilica from 4.5 to zero, hiss almost completely gone. So the Jensen removed the high pitch whine. Better cables helped remove a little hiss Reducing the preamp gain and Xilica gain took away almost all the rest. I learned a lot from this experience, thanks for so much help! Once again you guys rallied! Ted 👏🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 no more high pitch whine? time for some real wine.🍷 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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