Help with noise

I have an LP-12 with a low output (.23mV) Dynavector 17DII. I have this connected to a KAB electronic stepup device and this is connected to my Fisher 400 receiver, which needs about 4.5mV input. I am getting tons of noise thru the phono section. I have tried the following:

1) With nothing connected to the phono inputs of the Fisher, the noise level is very low, perfectly acceptable to me.

2) With just the turntable connected to the phono inputs, the noise level is about the same.

3) With just the step up device connected to the phono inputs, the noise level rises quite a bit, more than acceptable.

4) By moving the TT ground wire from the stepup to the receiver, the noise is reduced, but still unacceptable. Also adding a ground to the stepup does not do anything.

5) With the TT connected to the stepup and the stepup connected to the phono inputs, the noise level rises even more.

By moving the stepup device around, I can make the noise become greater or lesser. By shielding the unit with my hands, the noise is *greatly* reduced. Do you think that if I enclosed the stepup within another metal case (a pseudo Faraday cage), this would reduce the noise? Due to number 5 above, are there any phono cables that are quieter than others? Could I also shield the phono cables with aluminum foil? They seem to be acting as antennas for noise. Having just bought the Fisher, which is a restored and modified unit from Bizzy Bee (and sooo sweet), I just do not have the funds for a better stepup device. Any advice on what to do (cheaply) would be greatly appreciated!

Mike