Which headphone amp?

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 Davesax1965 wrote:

Regarding noise floor. 

I switch on a Korg MS synth I had (used to have the original, now I have the reissue, which is SMD and not TTL, I can hear the difference) and because of the inherent filter design, I can hear noise. Or. I pick up one of my guitars with P90 pickups in it, there's noise as well. Inherent noise.

If you listen to a 70's recording, there's inherent noise in it. Valve amps, old pickups, bad electronics. 

So how, can I ask, can you tell "original recording noise" from "modern hi fi amp noise" ?

And why oh why oh why does it matter if you can or not ? Given the cost of reducing it. 

If noise is present in the original recording and in the mastering process a de-hisser was not used then yes, you should hear it. I don't like de-hissing because you are removing content regardless, I say leave it alone. Listen to an original pressing of ItCOtCK, its well known the tape heads were dirty, not aligned well and the recording was lacking upper freq so it has a veiled sound, but it is what it is.
IMO, if you do not hear this noise in your system then you have work to do in the synergy of your audio gear, it's not picking up what is actually there...