Test 1:
Pulled Audio Research D100A out of rack. Put amp into my garage workbench away from all RF devices. Plugged amp right into wall outlet. No donut between amp and wall outlet. Plugged speakers right into amp. Zero 60 hertz cycle. Amp is fine as Scott mentioned.
Test 2:
Plugged my old iphone 6 into patch cable with 1/4 inch to RCAs. Plugged RCAs right into amp. Before turning on iphone, checked speakers with amp. Zero 60 hertz cycle.
Test 3:
Turned on iphone with no music at low volume level. Checked speakers with amp. Zero 60 hertz cycle. Turned iphone volume to max. Zero 60 hertz cycle.
Test 4:
Turned on iphone with music...listened specifically between music gaps = zero 60 hertz cycle.
Results
Amp is quiet when it is by itself and NOT near equipment. Using garage wall outlet power and no line conditioner / regenerator. Using no donut toroid. This is baseline for the amp in an isolated environment so I don't need to further test/discuss the amp power supply, caps, transformer, etc. in my situation. DONE.
Next Step For Ground Loop Tests
Perform lifted ground technique per Scott. Lifted ground = all
equipment in stereo rack plugged into wall outlet WITHOUT ground
= insert a small 3 prong to 2 prong (plus wire for ground)
https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-Polarized-Grounding-2-Prong-Adapter-Orange-20-Pack-46851/312551290?NC... into ALL stereo / related devices in rack EXCEPT for the most sensitive pickup device. In this case, this would be my phono tube amp. Phono tube amp is plugged directly into wall outlet WITH normal 3 prong ground = only ONE source for ground across all equipment to baseline all equipment. Listen for 60 hertz cycle.
If 60 hertz cycle through speakers....then probably not a ground loop issue and a local proximity 60 hertz transmission being picked up by the phono power cord. If this occurs, then I will purchase clamp on ferrite and place on the amp.
https://www.amazon.com/Roctee-Suppressor-Electronic-Ferrites-Diameter/dp/B07XCMY6LT/ref=sr_1_12?dchi... If no 60 hertz cycle through speakers with single ground source (phono amp), then systematically begin removing the 3 to 2 power connectors. Remove one at a time. Remove from the most sensitive to least sensitive gear. In my case I would then remove line amp 3 to 2 connector, since that is next in the chain after the phono amp, which plugs into line amp.
Test for 60 cycle, and continue proceeding.
If 60 cycle surfaces, then that device "may" be the one or one of several contributing noise generators.
Results to follow.