Or the input jacks.

Glad it worked. Why connecting the shield to ground? By not doing so the noise filtering effect disappears?

Glad it worked. Why connecting the shield to ground? By not doing so the noise filtering effect disappears?

 

The filtering/sheilding is significantly stronger when grounded. 

I know, that's how it's supposed to work best, but if it already works without grounding, why making things more complicated?

Glad it worked. Why connecting the shield to ground? By not doing so the noise filtering effect disappears?

 

I haven't tried anything yet.

 

What about something like these?

It could work, but I'd try the aluminum foil thing first, that would hardly work if the foil fails. Conceptually I like the Pearl Tube Coolers better.

If anything, try the foil thing first, and skip the part about grounding it.  Just don't skip the part about making sure it doesn't touch any of the other pins.  Like was said -- it theoretically should still work as a shield as long as it completes a circuit around the tube.

 

And here's another tidbit -- you'd be better off making sure the foil was touching the tube everywhere but at the bottom, rather than leaving a little space.  Why?  Because it'll conduct the heat instead of trap it.  Just make sure to give it a little flare at the bottom (yes, like bell-bottoms), so that it doesn't touch the pins.

 

If this makes you too nervous to do long term, at least try it once to see if it solves the problem.

Something like this might work:

 

http://www.audiotubes.com/damper.htm

yep, the large ones I guess, but they are more expensive than the Pearl.

Something like this might work:

 

http://www.audiotubes.com/damper.htm

 

I actually talked to them on the phone yesterday, and they don't have shields that fit 6SN7s. They said the silicone stoppers would fit the tube, but wouldn't solve the RF problem.

It could work, but I'd try the aluminum foil thing first, that would hardly work if the foil fails. Conceptually I like the Pearl Tube Coolers better.

 

The 6SN7 size might work for the stock tube, but that Sophia has a wider diameter. I'll try the foil first, however.

 

Monday! I'll post an update then.

I love how most tube sellers' websites look like they were developed in vi in the 90's. 

Update:

The Psvane tube I bought looks like it has some kind of shielding internally:

It's smoky on the sides and silvery at the top. In any case, with this tube it's entirely noiseless now.

Wait, so you hadn't tried the Psvane before or it was noisy and now it is quiet? Don't use the stock tube, it's teh sucks.

[Nitpicking start] "grey glass" tubes do not have more shielding than normal tubes. 

 

The grey stuff (graphite) was applied to the glass to improve performance in certain conditions. The MFR's all swore that they figured out a way to solve these problems without the grey glass after a certain point, but I think they just got lazy and cheap.[/nitpicking end]

 

Happy you got it to run quietly. Some tubes are just noisy. 

I love how most tube sellers' websites look like they were developed in vi in the 90's. 

 

Is that not how websites are made nowadays?  I guess I'll need to change my ways... ok, well, at least I don't use vi anymore. 

What's wrong with vi?  I still regularly use vim. Also. when using Eclipse, I use its version of vi.

Edited October 28, 201312 yr by guzziguy

Too many tags to keep track of now, the IDE does it for you, largely.  Also, WYSIWYG.

 

Ain't nuthin' wrong with a little vi.

FWIW, a single one of these worked on the Sophia and the Tung-Sol tubes, making them nearly silent.

 

This doesn't mean I'm using the Tung-Sol tube. I ain't.

 

The Psvane and Treasure tubes are both silent without it (and it doesn't quite fit them anyway—the tubes are too wide at their widest point).

 

The Ety ER-4S sounds pretty nice through the Peak. I can now listen open or closed at work and not disturb anyone!

 

Ari thx for the nitpick—although even with a silent tube or with a shield/tube combo I hear the same noise if I plug in the JH16s (and not with the ER-4S or HD800). So in this case it's environment noise and not "tube noise"—although I guess maybe you were saying that the noisy tubes are the ones that pick up more RF interference. They don't seem to be generating any noise of their own...

Thanks for the update. May have to experiment myself. Occasionally get with right channel with Treasure.

Glad to hear that you found a solution, Jeffy.

Interesting that that cage thingie actually provided shielding. I thought they were just for physical protection and looking cool.

Excellent information Jeffy.  I may have to pick up some of those. 

Great news! Glad you found a solution which might be helpful for more people.

Interesting that that cage thingie actually provided shielding. I thought they were just for physical protection and looking cool.

 

Yeah, and it's not a subtle difference. I was surprised as well.