Have these been packaged wrong?
Ordered one ifi gnd defender and one ifi dc blocker but got two identical boxes with identical products inside just one with a label saying ifi gnd defender on it.
At a guess would say someone just put the wrong label on.
Can you confirm these dhould have different boxes?
Help would be appreciated
These should have two different boxes. Seems like it was mispackaged and mis-sold by wherever you bought it from.
Let me know if I can assist in a return and replacement.
Thank you that was helpful. Will be testing these tubes this week wen they arrive.
I did this testing out of the 300ohm but I do need to do more testing with this.
I do have a custom switch made to a/b amps.
But I was late and tired so maybe that’s why I couldn’t tell the difference.
Just thought this sort of expensive tube amp would have a bigger impact in the sound/presentation of the sound etc compared to ss amp.
But definitely need more testing and also test it out with more headphones.
I tried a/b testing with the hd600 as I thought this would be the headphone in my small collection that would make the biggest difference on a tube amp.
good old amazon for you
Yep, then go through the standard return process. So sorry about that, first time I’ve seen that happen!
@SebastienChiu, do the PowerStation and the new SupaNova cable have similar features? Which one would be the preferred product to reduce hum?
You’re welcome.
Got it. I’ve found 5AR4 and 6550/KT88 sonics to be most similar to SS. If you’re seeking the largest contrast, perhaps try 5U4G and 6L6GC. The Mogwai SE does have distinct sonics compared to other amps I’ve tried - either SS, tube, or hybrid. I would think that the HD600 is revealing enough to be able to perceive differences. Good luck and enjoy.
Ok, Sadly the Ifi DC Blocker doesn’t make any difference to the amp noise.
Would the Ifi GND Defender make any difference in this type of situation?
So ifi dc blocker made no difference but I did notice the input tube to have slight corrosion on the pins before fitting it. So I cleaned the pins and noise seems to have reduced slightly.
I can finally listen to my hd600 out of the 8ohm with nearly 0 noise and slight hum on 32ohm tap but still less bothersome than before. Will be trying new input tube, rectifier tubes tonight so will report back.
But had one of the most enjoyable listening session I have ever had with the mogwai last night.
After A/B testing with a switch the last few days I couldn’t notice any difference in sound but after listening to it for a few hours to get my ears/brain to settle in like @bpcarb suggested instead of short A/B testing I did notice something VERY different. Mainly the amp sounds very real, musical, enjoyable. Everything had a beautiful texture… After long listening then going back to a ss amp it sounded so much more digital(harsh) and much less enjoyable than with the mogwai. Very difficult to put in to words but once you hear it you cant unhear it.
Detail seem to be give the perception of being more easy to pick out.
I am starting to think the more I listen to the mogwai the less I will ever want to hear a ss amp again 
Unless the iFi DC Blocker does more than block DC, it wasn’t likely to make a difference in your case.
DC blockers are mostly useful for eliminating mechanical transformer vibration (which you would be able to feel by touching the transformer, as well as hear directly from the unit without putting on your headphones), if you have any DC on your AC lines.
You’re describing your noise floor as sounding like the static from an untuned conventional TV, where as ground issues are usually down to a ground loop … and will be pretty obviously a hum rather than hissing, static, or other spurious noises.
So, unless the GND Defender does more than isolate the ground selectively, I doubt that’s going to help you here either.
I am skeptical that if what you’re hearing is mains-related you’re going to be able to filter it out without going down the regeneration path. But then I’m skeptical that it is mains related anyway.
The fact that it changes in level with the higher impedance output taps, but does not vary with volume setting, suggests to me you’re just hearing the natural performance (noise floor) of the amplifier in combination with the tubes you have installed. Possibly with some environmental issues compounding that (try re-orienting the amplifier or using it in a different room).
Welcome to the tube magic club.
The sound has flaws, sometimes you have to roll tube for synergy but for sure it’s a no way back experience.
Enjoy.
As you properly pointed out tubes aren’t solid state and according to the tube installed (type/manufacturer) some background noise is something to be considered normal.
It’s the nature of tubes.
Environmental elements can also influence this background noise in quality and quantity.
Anyway IMO some background noise is something that you must know will be there with a tube amp.
I look and listen to it as “part of the magic”.
I don’t think its necessary for tube amps to have noise. I have experienced amps that had 0 noise whatsoever.
Noise is not necessary or always present, but quite common too. For me this is akin to the low level channel imbalance of pots – so common that it’s no surprise and not necessarily a cause for action.
Bad tubes, worn tubes, abused tubes, and tubes near other electronics can be noisy.
Me too but it highly depends on what tubes (type/brand) you use.
What I was trying to say was that using tubes like JJ ones you can stand some noise in background in change of the high quality sound the amp is gonna give you.
With experience and time you can learn about tubes and obtain a zero noise level.
OK I can report the noise i was getting has COMPLETELY gone.
I replaced the input tube to 6sn7 and now I can plug in my hd600 and radiance in to all the taps and no noise at all.
Not sure if this is the nature of the standard 6sl7 fitted or if may have been damaged in transport but ive noticed as it warms up the louder it gets.
6sn7 sound dead quite all the time.
thanks everyone who helped
all the advise is very appreciated
fully enjoying my amp now
How can the amp provide high quality sound when it is also relaying noise? Unless one likes to insert a distortion pedal in the chain, not sure your argument hold weight here. It is not much to ask for an silent tube amp, compromising on this then claiming high qualified sound is hypocritical to say the least.
This is your way of reading what I stated.
I believe it is at least quite subjective.
I don’t believe personal attacks are useful or a main objective in this forum.
If you find my opinion hypocritical just scroll down and read something that better seconds your way of thinking.
That’s fantastic @Essentials! Can you return the mains cleaning stuff you just bought?
I don’t have noise in either of my A&S amps. I wish I could explain why, because others are obviously experiencing it, but maybe I got lucky with my tubes. The only time I did an issue was tube-related, where a tube crackled until I tapped it, to loosen whatever was causing the noise.
My post was in no way an attack on you, I suggest you take your own advice of re-reading what I said. If you would like to seen an example of what a personal attack looks like from me, I am capable of providing one.
Now on to the statement, to clarify; if noise such as low level hum, or other noise that adds to the sound output, how can this be high quality or subjective?
Unless you also enjoy adding a distortion pedal such as as EH Big Muff?
