Phono stage picking up radio signals?

Clio:

1.) Re the Nordost claims: Bullpucky! (especially for phono use)

2.) A tube phono preamp is less susceptible to RFI because the signal is not physically coupled all the way through as with a SS unit.

3.) I wouldn't use both power conditioners on the same electrical (house) circuit. They could produce their own ground loop.

4.) I would ground the TT. There are several alternate ways to do this. The main thing is not to connect the phono preamp ground lug to the preamp ground lug. The best way would be to connect both the phono cable ground wire and a wire from the TT lug to the preamp lug. Alternately, you could connect the phono cable ground wire to the TT lug, and another wire from the TT lug to the preamp lug.

5.) As for shielded cable choices, a number of manufacturers make cables specifically for use as phono IC's, including Cardas, Hovland, XLO, Straightwire, and others. I'd just get some cheap Monster or old MIT 330's for a try.

Nsgarch,

Thanks for the comments. I have one question. Can I connect a wire from the TT lugnut to the phono preamp lugnut, then connect the tonearm cable ground wire to the phono preamp lugnut as well?

Here is one question I asked the constructor of the Whest PS.20, James Henriot, before I bought the unit:

I have heard some rumours that the PS.20 is sensible to RFI signals.
Since I sometimes have problems with radio signals, I just wonder if this is correct.

Henriot's answer:
The rumours are right but we rectified the problem about 4 months ago and it was found that our loading supplier made the plugs incorrectly.

This was one month ago, and I have had no RFI problems with this unit.

The unit I have was manufactured in March 05, so I probably have one of the units you are referencing. I will probably ask him for a new set of plugs based on this to see what difference they make. Thanks for the information.

I am not familar with your phonostage so this reply may be redundant but if it has tubes try replacing them.

Some tubes play radio stations and others don't I don't know why but thats the way it is.

If that doesn't work then you have a grounding problem in your arm or shielding problem in your system somewhere.

One thing you can try is installing ferrite beads over the inputs of the phono. They must be inside the preamp to be effective. They don't work went put inside interconect RCA's.