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I agree you have more power and gain than you need but that is not causing your problem. In any case I think everyone is over thinking this.
Now that we know you did not have an issue with your previous preamp isn't the problem obvious?
......Before the Ayre hiss not a problem
......With the Ayre hiss is a problem
We're going around in circles here talking about gain. Either something is wrong with the Ayre or there is some weird interaction with your amps but probably the former. Maybe the reason the previous owner sold the Ayre is they had some annoying hiss? Have you contacted Ayre about getting it checked out?
I don't agree it could be a cabling or ground issue. A hum problem yes but hiss no.
How about building a little passive pre out of some Radio Shack parts and see how that sounds? May be all you need.
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I agree you have more power and gain than you need but that is not causing your problem. In any case I think everyone is over thinking this.
Now that we know you did not have an issue with your previous preamp isn't the problem obvious?
......Before the Ayre hiss not a problem
......With the Ayre hiss is a problem
We're going around in circles here talking about gain. Either something is wrong with the Ayre or there is some weird interaction with your amps but probably the former. Maybe the reason the previous owner sold the Ayre is they had some annoying hiss? Have you contacted Ayre about getting it checked out?
I don't agree it could be a cabling or ground issue. A hum problem yes but hiss no.
How about building a little passive pre out of some Radio Shack parts and see how that sounds? May be all you need.
.