Question on VTL 2.5 - dyl71 - Amp/Preamp Asylum

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Question on VTL 2.5

I picked this up from a local dealer recently, this is a 2003 model and was at VTL about 3 years ago for a checkup and received a clean bill of health.

That being said, this is my first tube pre and I can say that it sounds amazing. I have some RCA 12AU7A, Mullard CV 4003, and CV 4024 for the AT7 slots, along with the stock JJ ECC81,82 that are about 2 years old.

The Mullards in both slots are slightly rich in bass, but not bad, I also am missing bass traps so that may not be the fault of the tubes.

The only thing that bothers me, and perhaps it's the nature of the pre, but I can hear a hiss from my speakers with the volume on "0". My amp is a B&K 200.2, and the speakers are Polk SDA with fresh caps and resistors, basically fresh crossovers and they have a good 750 hours on them, the speakers are right about 92db efficient.

With the stock JJ tubes, the hiss is louder, with the Mullards or Mullard/RCA combo, the hiss is slightly lower but definitely audible. I can hear the hiss from about 3 feet away with the volume on "0"

In the quiet passages, with the volume at about 30% I can hear the hiss from my listening position about 10' away. The hiss isn't overwhelming, but I know it's there.

Is this normal for a tube pre-amp, perhaps impedance mismatch?

Just looking for some thoughts and ideas, I love this preamp, but I want to be sure it's either normal or not normal.

Thanks, all input appraciated.

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Topic - Question on VTL 2.5 - dyl71 14:16:01 09/09/16 (16)

RE: Question on VTL 2.5 - Palustris 09:26:17 01/19/17 (1)

RE: Question on VTL 2.5 - dyl71 21:42:19 02/26/18 (0)

It may just be - Uncle Mike 03:18:15 09/10/16 (7)

RE: It may just be - dyl71 07:58:28 09/11/16 (6)

RE: It may just be - John Elison 12:16:08 10/04/16 (4)

RE: It may just be - dyl71 14:05:29 10/04/16 (3)

RE: It may just be - fantja 05:30:52 10/05/16 (2)

RE: It may just be - johnch 21:46:50 10/13/16 (1)

RE: It may just be - dyl71 02:11:21 01/18/17 (0)

RE: It may just be - fantja 14:00:05 09/11/16 (0)

RE: Question on VTL 2.5 - John Elison 23:45:35 09/09/16 (2)

RE: Question on VTL 2.5 - dyl71 07:52:55 10/04/16 (1)

RE: Question on VTL 2.5 - John Elison 12:07:54 10/04/16 (0)

RE: Question on VTL 2.5 - rkeman 17:22:24 09/09/16 (1)

Never a problem - kavakidd 00:06:56 09/10/16 (0)

RE: Question on VTL 2.5 - dyl71 17:14:02 09/09/16 (0)

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