Should the Quicksand be louder than the SEX?

[oguinn]

While my SEX is down for repairs (I think I need to reheat some joints on the tube socket - it sounds like the right channel is under water), I dropped the Quicksand into the signal chain for now. What I've noticed is that it is MUCH louder than my SEX is. Is that typical?

My setup is this:

• iPhone playing Apple Music at about 75%
• JDS Labs DAC
• Quickie (running at full volume when going into the SEX, but much lower when going to Quicksand)
• Quicksand or SEX
• Blumenstein Orcas

[Paul Birkeland]

The gain of the Quicksand is higher than the gain of the SEX.  I suspect the SEX will deliver more peak power, but I have not done any measurements on that.

[oguinn]

Perfect, thanks Paul. Wanted to make sure I didn't have two issues to troubleshoot while the SEX was on the bench 

[oguinn]

Also, I just wanted to say how much I'm liking the Quicksand. I'm grateful I snagged two of the remaining ones. I'd be really sad to be without music until the SEX is fixed. It's a great little amp!