2. amps-preamps
  3. 1017075982

what did I do? channel hiss in McCormack DNA 0.5.

I was swapping preamps with the DNA 0.5, got a loud noise, and now there is an audible hiss from the left channel. I hear it on soft music or when I'm not playing anything. I don't hear it on louder stuff. Then, the music sounds great! I don't know what I did, but I know I wasn't careful. What's it sound like the problem could be? What should I do to find out/ fix it? Can I do any troubleshooting on my own, or is it best left to the pros?

Thanks,

Robert
robertd
robertd OP
76 posts
 
The amp was on when I changed cables. I tried switching the left cable into the right channel and vice versa, and I still got the hiss from the left channel, so I think it's in the amp - and I tried another amp the other day, and the hiss was absent. With this amp, there's always a hiss if your ear is right next to the tweeter. But you can hear the hiss on the left speaker a few feet away. I have a feeling I messed something up in the amp, and I don't know who I should contact about it. I bought the amp used here. I could talk to Steve McCormack, a local store who carries this line, or someone else.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Robert
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
The best test is to hook the amp up to your speakers and use shorting plugs, RCA plugs where the ground and hot are connected, at the input of the amp, no preamp at all. If you cannot purchase these plugs then just buy some RCA jacks at Radio Shack and solder the two internal parts together. If you hear hiss it is surely in the amp.
bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
Robert you've definitely done some damage but it's not real serious since the amp still plays. Definitely contact Steve McCormack & get the amp to him for repair. While you're at it you might consider an upgrade: SMC Audio has 3 levels of upgrades available. Check these out at his website & then talk to the guys at SMC; really good people there.
http://www.smcaudio.com/
More to discover