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Tweeter hiss?

Hi, I'm new to the world of hi-fi and audiogon and was hoping someone out there could help me.

When I have my amp turned on (an integrated) with the speakers connected, but not the CD player, I hear a hiss coming from the tweeters of both speakers. This is with the volume completely turned down. Is this normal? If I turn the volume up the noise increases. It's not very loud by any means - I need to be within a foot of the speaker to notice it. Is there something wrong with my amp or speakers? If music is playing then the hiss is covered by music. I am also unhappy with my systems general "brightness" and fatigue factor and I wonder if this is related to my hiss-tweeter problem.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
(Rotel integrated, B&W 601s3, audioquest cable)
tooter
tooter OP
85 posts
 
Thanks for the responses.

I don't think it's an electrical problem. I tried plugging into different outlets, same results. Also whether the CD player (also Rotel) was on or not (and disconnected) had no effect. As for the cables, they are in close proximity but none are touching eachother.

As for the brightness the speakers are relatively new, my guess would be less than 100 hours. Is there a "proper" way of breaking them in? Basically I just listen to music and try to avoid really loud levels.

I'm not sure if this is a factor but the speaker wire is unterminated at the speaker end. It's bare and I just pushed it through the hole in the binding post (not the banana plug hole) and tightened the nut. Could this be an issue?

Thanks.
jsawhitlock
302 posts
 
I think your problem is most likely a componet issue.
You may consider changing out the rotel. If this is only a music system you may want to try seperates if it's in the budget to do so. Next I would work on IC, speaker wire and power cords. I think there is no quick or cheap fix for your brightness problem and buying new IC or speaker wire with the rotel will only get you minor improvements. It sounds like you may be out growing the current set up and it's time to move up a notch, your getting more educated in good sound so take the plunge and go for the componet upgrade. Sorry for slamming the rotel but for entry level mid fi it's a ok start into this hobbie but it's time to move on to better sound! Hope I was not to brutle! Happy Hunting
tooter OP
85 posts
 
Thanks Jsawhitlock. My gut feeling is that it's an amp issue and not a speaker issue. Unfortunately I don't have any other speakers or amps to test my hunch.

Seperates are out of my budget right now so I'm leaning toward getting a better integrated (Creek, Classe, Bryston B60?) For now, I'm going to give the speakers some more break-in time and see if that has desirable effects.
jsawhitlock
302 posts
 
Good Move! I run Classe and enjoy there sound alot, never bright and never wears you out! You may be able to pick up some seperates for less than you think and sell the rotel to pay for the rest. BTW Classe makes a nice intgrated. Maybe do this in stages, There are a few Classe amps like the CA-100 for around $600 and if you need more power the CA200 for $1200. Have also seen a few preamps CP-35 at $600 and CP-45 at $750.
Hapy Listening!
bundee1
147 posts
 
FIrst finish breaking in the speakers, if the sound doesnt improve then replace the amp. Try a NAD 320bee, they seem to mate well with B&W. You can get one for under $400 new. Ive also seen creek 4330 mkII for about $400 used here on A'gon. The creek has a much darker tonal balance than the NAD but its a fine unit. I dont know how theyll pair with the B&W's. Also consider what kind of music you listen to. Some amps are better suited to classical and jazz rather than rock and dance.
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