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Going Topless

When changing tubes on my ARC preamps, I noticed a substantial lift in performance when the top covers were left off the units. An increase in "Air", 3D and just plain "relaxed ease" was appearent when the covers were off.
Now my particular units have Litz signal wire running from input selector and PC board to the RCA I/O jacks in the back. These bundles of wire come close to the top chassis cover, without actually touching it.
Are we dealing with "Eddy Currents" here? I have come to the conclusion that all (music)signal carrying wires, must be isolated from close proximity to metal. I have heard the same effect on ICs and Speaker wire. All of these wires appear to be well shielded and use a stiff dielectric. There must be stray Magnetic Eddy Currents at work here.
Anyone else go through this? Better yet; Can anyone explain this?
The moral, Metal and wire don,t mix...........Frank
frap

Showing 1 response by frap

frap OP
213 posts
 
Albert, I never suspected the tubes; that puts a new light on it. Sean is ,of course, correct about the safety and dust factors.
Bruce, I hope you live alone on that one!!!!
Kubla, I run 2 systems. One analog, One Digital
Analog ARC SP-10II, SP-8 Mk-1 preamps
Digital: ARC-SP-3A-1 & LS-2 MkII preamps
I do NOT like the sound with the rings on, It seems to dull the sound somewhat. Now if using the mostly "zippy" sounding Sovtek tube, the rings may help that bad situation.
Dennis, I'm quite certain its the effects of metal.
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