I was thinking about lining the bottom of my walnut stereo rack with mu metal foil.

[Isotonic]

You may need to go to a slightly longer interconnect. I went to OHNO cables because they are small and lightweight. Easily routable. Those thick, heavy audiophile cables were a PAIN for me to route to the lowest-noise positions.

They are kinda $$$, but very quiet and long-lasting. The best thing is that they are easy on the RCA jacks.

Just an option.

View attachment 3830892

Putting these on the wish list. I love the idea of highest quality without paying a fortune. I generally use home brew Mogami, but I have a small stash of entry level interconnects from The Chord Company and Kimber.

 

[Isotonic]

FWIW, my efforts to do the neatest most orderly wiring have often ended poorly. Apparently, electrons don't have a sense of aesthetics. Pretty sure they don't have a sense of humor either, other than at my expense.

Before this install, this stereo looked like a crazy mess of spaghetti. But unlike a lot of Audiophiles, I also enjoy art and design. I want my system to look good. There are some very good and inexpensive cable management products out there these days. And WAF counts in this house. Especially when I spend too much.

 

[Isotonic]

Minor cost of shelf + easily removed/returned = go for it! I am still not a fan, but you have done pretty well so far .......


Agreed. And no need to make space for it (new or existing shelf). Looks like a tidy SUT build, probably sounds fine, but not a looker. Really kinda stands out in system photo #2. I would hook it up & huck it off the back. Move it around until no hum. I could just let it dangle or maybe attach it vertical to wall or back of rack somewhere w/adhesive pad. YMMV.

It's definitely a crude build. Maybe I should get one of those Ned Clayton boxes.

 

[Mr Boochie]

Before this install, this stereo looked like a crazy mess of spaghetti. But unlike a lot of Audiophiles, I also enjoy art and design. I want my system to look good. There are some very good and inexpensive cable management products out there these days. And WAF counts in this house. Especially when I spend too much.

Try to have your interconnects to and from the SUT cross at a 90-degree angle relative to other cables or ground lines. You can test the effectiveness with headphones.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Kimber PBJs are susceptible to interference. Had a set ran em to the power amp. Lots of power cables close by. Changing to a shielded set of RCAs solved my noise issue.

 

[mrwood200]

Before this install, this stereo looked like a crazy mess of spaghetti. But unlike a lot of Audiophiles, I also enjoy art and design. I want my system to look good. There are some very good and inexpensive cable management products out there these days.

As others have eluded to, cable management can add (or subtract) noise. Tidy is not always righty.
Assuming no other system noise from cable mgmt, I would be open minded on this SUT project. Get no hum & go from there. You can hide 1x cord.

Maybe I should get one of those Ned Clayton boxes.

It is fine as is. Huck in back & hide your sin.
If they are the CST-80 jensens, they may warrant a better 'display' box, but I am unclear if that would address our hum.
Good thread & discussion - best wishes on your ongoing project!

 

[sqlsavior]

Get it the F away from everything else...

 

[mcgjohn]

The radiation field on your power amp may be greater than you think.

First thing I would do is temporarily move it off the shelf away from the table and SUT and see if that has an effect on reducing the hum level.
Keeping power amps away from front end gear is usually a good habit.

 

[doctor fuse]