It probably wasn't the RFI. The smaller surface area of the temporary TV probably created less unintended reflections of the sound waves. This would lead to better center imaging. To test this theory try throwing a thick quilt over the temporary 13" TV while listening to music. Does the sound further improve?

When the capacitors in TV's get old their charge/discharge 'angle' and associated noise create a situation where the RFI and the AC line noise created go off the charts. Then the cap that does the horizontal scan decay or 'roll off' dies and the horizontal transistor goes out and 'thar she blows!' Almost every time, that's the way they go.

Capacitors in televisions are under TREMENDOUS stress and I am amazed that TVs last as long as they do. With the Pulse power supplies in modern gear like flat screens, I would not be surprised of they all die at the ~7 year mark--if we are lucky. Nearly 100% of the time it is a single resistor and maybe two to 4 capacitors that if changed out before they fail.... the flat screen TV would last another 7 years.

As well, the last of the flat screen CRT units had VERY high voltages and VERY high beam current..this, in order to get past the issue of accurate and stable extreme beam bending..in order to get the beam to work on that flat surface with short tubes. I was told that this would lead to the shortening of the lifespan of the TV's by a factor of about 2 by a tech with about 40 years experience in the field of examining and fixing CRT televisions. This, when the first flat screen CRT TV's came out.

The high beam currents and high voltages will and do combine to create a much larger and more powerful level of RFI and AC power line noise injection. When you add in the conditions that are of an older unit that is approaching failure you get the additional noise of that, for a total noise level that is quite high.

getting rid of the TV does create better audio sound, yes. Acoustics and interference are the issue, yes. But the CRT TV does add a fairly large amount of noise all on it's own. I've had them between my speakers before, yes. But I usually move it out after a few weeks. Except for the fact that I have not owned a TV for about...oh..12 years now. I think I can't remember and that's a good thing in my book.

Stephen -here at the forum- has also freed his mind by dumping the TV out of his life.