Pre-amp causing loud hiss from speakers

Since you're in for a penny you might as well check one more thing. With the amp off, remove the interconnects from the amp. Replace them with, preferably, shorting plugs, but RCA caps would probably work as well. Turn the amp back on. What you are now hearing is the internal noise from the amp alone.

If the noise is not too bad you may be able to use line level attenuators such as those available from Parts Express between the preamp and amp and this will solve the problem without heroic efforts as Newbee suggested.

The other possibility is to call Rogue, they are most helpful and may be able to internally alter the gain of the amp.

Finally, Rogue is a hot brand and I would start at 20% off retail and probably be ready to accept 30% off retail. Just a guess here.

I will give it a shot nothing to lose. Those attenuators are RCA would using balanced attenuators make any really difference?

thanks again

I can't think of any reason that the balanced attenuators would sound better, or even different. What will make a difference though is the amount of attenuation that they will provide. 10db attenuators are common (and the ones that I have used) but that might not be enough. You can also get them in 20db and perhaps anything in between. FWIW Rothwell makes a nice in-line attenuator. If the hiss is really loud I'd try the 20db ones first.

can't you just proceed with unhappy return after half-hour of listening?

"05-27-15: Deadlift
I will experiment more with the IC's and binding posts,"

Just list your IC's. Someone here will know if they are balanced or not.

"05-27-15: Czarivey
can't you just proceed with unhappy return after half-hour of listening?"

I agree. Any good dealer will try to do something for you.