[Elecraft] K3: CW weak signal

[Kenneth Waites]

When on low bands, weak signal, rf gain cranked up, narrow CW bandwidth, I get a bit of continuous howling effect from the white noise/QRN that is about the same audio freq as the signal I am copying.
 
I have .2 khz, 5 pole -.94 crystal.
 
I have always just ignored it, turning rf gain down helps a bit - very critical.  But I started thinking maybe others have found some good techniques to minimize this.  As I write this I think I may experiment with the boost I give for this crystal.  Wondering if 8 pole crystals sound diferent.
 
Any suggestions?
 
Ken K5WK