Added a level shifter to my dual 572b VTTC, have questions

SpaceWyzard, Wed Oct 31 2018, 12:55AM

Hello. I added a level shifter to my vttc using a high voltage microwave oven diode and capacitor, with an rf bypass cap across the diode. My sparks increased by 2 or 3 centimeters, maybe a bit more (hard to tell, I couldn't measure it). The sparks also are "fatter". The problem I'm seeing is that whereas before the sparks made a nice hum (I had it tuned as well as possible), after adding the level shifter it was making a much rougher noise, sounding like it was detuned a bit. Does this mean it is actually detuned and that I need to retune it? If so, what caused it? Or is this expected from adding the level shifter? I disabled it and it went back to normal, tuned operation.