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Tube Question - Significance of Tube Noise at Listening Position

Hello all.  I need some advice on tubes.  I use a BHK preamp that has a tube input stage (12AU7).  I recently replaced the PSvane tubes that came with it with some GoldLion gold pins.  The sound is much better, more holographic, warmer.  However, after 6 months, I started to get tube noise with my ear near the speaker.  I put back in the PSvane tubes and the noise was reduced in half so it is the tubes, but with the old tubes, the sound quality of course dropped. 

I am thinking about buying some new tubes, either Ray Select tubes, which are considered to be very low noise, or NOS Brimars. 

My question is: does the tube noise matter at the listening position if it can't be heard where I sit?  Although I don't think I can hear the noise at my listening position, I am still bothered by it because, well, its there.  We work so hard to get black backgrounds and I would never use a cable, power cord, streamer or conditioner, that adds hiss.  We would never accept that, so even if I don't hear it at the listening position, I just feel like it must have some detrimental effect and why should we accept that from a tube if I won't accept it from any other component?  

I am looking for advice on this topic and if I should get the Ray Select tubes to hopefully remove the noise, or go with the good sounding GoldLions even though I know they are adding noise/hiss/garbage to the sound near the speaker. 

Finally, anyone have any comments on the Ray Select 12AU7.  I don't want bright or hard, and the competition is the GoldLion gold pins. 

Thanks everyone.

12many
mm1tt77
255 posts
 

@12many I had the BHK Pre in my system for over 2 years.  No matter what tubes I had in the Pre, there was always a level of noise, how noticeable the noise was did depend on the Tubes.  My speakers are also fairly sensitive, that likely highlighted the noise.  I also have found with Tube gear a wall wart / power supply and or a WiFi router or mesh network plugged into the same breaker also can introduce noise to tube gear.  I rolled a lot of tubes in the BHK, NOS and new stock, Gold Lions, Tele’s, Mullard’s, Brimar, Amperex, RCA’s and others.  Both 6922 and 12AU7’s.  The 12AU7 tubes as a whole were quieter.  I no longer have the BHK, have a ton of tubes that I don’t have tube gear for, if interested let me know.  The Tele’s 12Au7 and Amperex 6922 were my favorite tubes in the BHK.  I also have a LTA Aero DAC, bought Ray Reserve select tubes, they are dead quite. Extremely tight, great tubes.  Now, they don’t deliver the same level of “tube magic” as other NOS tubes I have, but they are quiet, provide the most precise highs, mids and bass, what they don’t do is provide the color or romantic, overly warm or holographic tube sound other tubes do.  Sound great, still provide a pinch of tube magic but not like some of the other NOS tubes.  

signaforce's avatar
signaforce
547 posts
 

I also have your BHK pre. The only noise I have had with my BHK was solved with the iFi Silent Power DC Blocker+ Power Filter. I replaced the stock tubes immediately & roll NOS Tele medicals, Brimar CV4003 & Siemens Nickel plates. All are 12AU7’s & all are absolutely silent. Good luck!

12many OP
354 posts
 

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies.  I swapped back in the Gold Lions.  The sound is much better, although the noise is also higher.  It's interesting how it sound better, but with higher tube noise.  The tube noise level does not change with volume and I don't think I can hear it at my seating position.   I ordered some Ray Select tubes to try and compare to the Gold Lions. Really great to get input from people with the same preamp. 

@signaforce - I will check out the iFi Silent Power DC Blocker+ Power Filter.  I already run a Gemini power conditioner and the Shunyata NR power cables - another improvement I did not expect.  

12many OP
354 posts
 

I am posting to provide an update.  I have about 50 hours on the Ray Reserve tubes (12AU7).  At first they were flat and I wanted to swap them out, but they are starting to sound good.  Unforturnaly, I have the room a bit of a mess because I am working on some room treatment (not up yet).  Even so, I am liking the Ray tubes.  Very clear, less noise than the GL, and a bit less than earlier PSVane tubes, but still present.  With break in they are starting to open up with a nice air and holographic. I think these will be keepers - so far so good.   Really looking forward to listening to them when my first phase of room treatment is done.   

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