Just finished Quickie - shocked

[autoformer]

Hello fellow Bottleheads,
PB kitted a Quickie for me after the basic schematic reading class a few weeks ago and I've just gotten around to building it.  As usual, the instructions are practically flawless.  Just make sure to read the manual correction about the filament tube wiring before you start: http://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,2488.0.html

Cutting to the chase, I was shocked by what I heard from the Quickie when I first powered it up.  Simply shocked.  I've tried it in a variety of settings now and I still can't believe that something so simple and inexpensive can sound this good.  I always hesitate to use the typical hi fi writer's terminology to describe a piece of gear, but there's no getting around it.  Subjectively, in my reference system, the Quickie exhibits a great sense of space in its presentation of the music.  And "music" is the right word.  There's something very, well, musical about the way it portrays the sound.  I'm hearing texture and color in tracks that I don't hear in all my systems.  Bass is strong, full and well-defined.  The midrange is just enjoyable and not at all fatiguing.  And there is so much detail in the high end.  Dynamics are, at times, startling.

To give you some context, here's where the Quickie's been so far in my systems:

Benchmark DAC1 USB --> Quickie --> ClassDAudio TI-600 on 25.6VDC LiFePo --> Magneplanar SMGa
Wavelength Proton --> Quickie --> Red Wine Audio Liliana Monoblocks on 48VDC LiFePo --> Martin Logan Summit X
Wyred4Sound uDAC --> Quickie --> ClassDAudio TI-600 on 25.6VDC LiFePo --> Zu Omen
Wavelength Proton --> Quickie --> B&O ICEPower 125ASX2 on 120VAC --> Harbeth Compact 7ES-3
Ayre QB-9 --> Quickie --> B&O ICEPower 125ASX2 on 120VAC --> Harbeth Compact 7ES-3

In all cases, the Quickie has proven to be an exceptionally enjoyable performer.  My friends at Harbeth, who believe one "properly designed" amp sounds exactly like the next would say that I'm just hearing distortion and that perhaps I happen to enjoy distortion, but whatever it is, I'm loving it.  At first, I thought that the startling dynamics were the result of the battery-powerd amps I was using.  The RWA Lilianas, in particular, are known for this.  But when I hooked it up to the B&O 125ASX2, I heard the same thing.  The Quickie's signature fingerprint is apparent in every context in which I've placed it so far.  To be honest, it sounds better paired with a class D amp driving the Harbeths than my McIntosh C22 60th with the MC275, which now sound pretty wooly by comparison.  The closest thing I have in house to this level of clarity, dynamism and soundstaging is the Ayre AX-7e integrated, and that is really saying something.

Now, I'm really on the hunt to figure out how to run the Quickie on an 8-cell LiFePo pack so I can incorporate it into my next hybrid integrated.  I am going to build 2 regulated power supplies for the two 1.5v filaments and see how it sounds running the 3S4 plates at 25.6V.

I also need to find a way to lower the Quickie's gain as it's a little high for the LiFePo hybrid integrated project.  I read some comments here about configuring the Quickie as a cathode follower, which would of course result in unity gain.  But ideally, I'd like to come up with a way to switch between its normal level of gain to unity gain.  The Red Wine Audio Isabella preamp has a switch that does this and it has proven to be extremely useful.  Any ideas out there?

Finally, yes the supplied GE 3S4s are really, really microphonic.  I'm trying various things to reduce that, from less stiff interconnects to reducing vibration between the top plate and the base to foam socks for the tubes.  It seems that just one of my tubes is the main problem, so I'm trying some others.  The 3S4 is cheap enough to try a bunch of them.  I just scored a pair of NOS Telefunkens on eBay and will report back here.

All in all, another fantastic design from the Bottlehead crew.  Color me impressed!

[Paul Birkeland]

Sweet, I'm stoked that you got to the build.  I'm actually anchoring my system with a Quickie right now too while I tune up my prototype BeePre.

To knock the gain down, you can add some resistance between the output of the selector switch and the input of the potentiometer.  I'd start with 100K to see if that's enough for you.  This would be a particularly good idea before adding something like the PJCCS. 

Microphony in 3S4's varies widely - as you have experienced, two tubes that are otherwise identical may perform differently. 

I have found that the Mullard and Brimar 3S4's tend to be quiet, but I have yet to actually try the Telefunkens, do let us know how you like them.

-PB

[Doc B.]

My friends at Harbeth, who believe one "properly designed" amp sounds exactly like the next would say that I'm just hearing distortion

Tell them that Doc says that about speakers, and watch them twist in their seat.

[4krow]

Yah, and little did I know, distortion in the bass end of ANY speaker is                   redickulous/recockulous.

[earwaxxer]

Thanks for taking the time to explain how the Quickie sounds with various other high end kit. I am particularly interested in how the Quickie pairs up with the Benchmark, W4S uDac, and the Proton. I know, most bottleheaders are vinyl guys, but I'm a digital slut! I now have the Gungnir - fantastic pair with the Quickie.

P.S. I think you will like the tele's!

[autoformer]

The Quickie pairs with all those DACs just fine and I'm not surprised it works just as well with your Gungnir.  I tried it with my Ayre QB-9 earlier today before I had to be peeled up off my listening chair for Thanksgiving dinner.  I love some good vinyl too, but a lot of this new high sample rate material from HD Tracks is really wonderful.

The Benchmark is well reviewed and I agree with most who say that it is "truthful".
The W4S uDac has a rather forward sound, with a notably full bottom end.  I use it in my family room mostly due to its form factor, but it is actually very good in its own right.  If you ask me, a bit better than the Audioquest Dragonfly that everyone is gaga for at the moment.  Nice with my SEP amps and the Omens.

The Proton, well, what can you say.  The best USB interface in the business.  LiIon battery powered.  An excellent headphone output with a very clever analog volume level controlled by your usual OSX volume control.  Very slick.  It's not as dynamic as most of my other DACs, but only slightly so, and even that has its merits, especially for certain types of music.  Lower than average output level, which is an advantage with the Quickie in my setups.

The Ayre QB-9...it's hard to imagine how it gets a whole lot better.  After several years on the market, I've still not heard anything better.  But then again I haven't listened to the Weiss or the Berkeley Alpha.  I'm keen to hear that new Gungnir, though!  It must be the real schiit!

-Jim

[Jim R.]

Jim,

Nice report!  Just curious if you've ever tried or heard the Halide DAC HD?

Don't you have some Orcas around there somewhere as well?

Thanks,

Jim

[earwaxxer]

The Ayre QB-9...it's hard to imagine how it get a whole lot better.  After several years on the market, I've still not heard anything better.  But then again I haven't listened to the Weiss or the Berkeley Alpha.  I'm keen to hear that new Gungnir, though!  It must be the real schiit!

-Jim

Yep, the Ayre is a nice piece of kit! Its funny, they use minimum phase filters. I have been harping on that for a couple of years (doing it through software - Sox).

[4krow]

I too, have the Quckie up and running in my system. There were a lot projects that needed to be done before I could get back to it. The only real changes were the RCA jacks and the output caps, which are now Obligatto. In a word,  clean,     that's the sound. Makes me much more serious about this little guy. I will be looking for the perfect ceegar box for it. For the meantime, I am using an old cedar box I made many years ago. I'll keep ya all posted with the new "FRANKENSTUNNED" Quickie. 'BRIDE OF QUICKIE'

[4krow]

ALMOST FORGOT,     HAH HAH HAH HAH HAAAAH! MY EVIL LAUGH. IGOR, RETRIEVE THE BOX!

[earwaxxer]

cool - good to hear she's up and running!

[autoformer]

Got the Telefunkens the other day and am pleased to report that they are significantly less microphonic than the supplied GEs.  They do sound just a little darker and fuller than the GEs, but after 50 years sitting on a shelf in a dusty warehouse, the poor little things deserve a little time to break in before being judged.

[4krow]

Again, I must state that I have some good success with the Sorbothane rings used on the tubes, and under the tube sockets on the bottom of the cicuit board. This is an important placement since some of the vibration would be traveling straight up through the pins of the tube socket. Anyway, it has been a worthwhile project.

[autoformer]

Hi Jim,
Yes, indeed, I've got a pair of Orcas on my desk along with a S.E.X. amp, which was my first Bottlehead build a couple of years ago.  Clark Blumenstein built a nice bamboo base for the amp.  I think this was the first one he made.  The Bottlehead S.E.X. amp with the Orcas is a perfect match for the desktop.  In two years, I've tried all sorts of combinations for my desktop, including the well-regarded Harbeth P3ESRs and Era D4s with various amplifiers and so far, nothing beats this combo.

I've heard of the Halide DAC HD, but have not yet heard it for myself.  The reviews seem to be universally positive.  It uses Gordon Rankin's Streamlength async USB interface algorithm.  Another device to keen an eye on is the new Audioquest Dragonfly.  It was completely designed by Mr. Rankin and the early praise for it has been effusive.  On my desktop, I'm using the Wavelength Brick, which I like very much.

Jim,

Nice report!  Just curious if you've ever tried or heard the Halide DAC HD?

Don't you have some Orcas around there somewhere as well?

Thanks,

Jim

[autoformer]

Now that I've come to be pretty familiar with my v1 Quickie, I decided to install the PJCCS upgrade.  In just the time it took the "Wheeler Dealer" guys to restore an Alfa Romeo Spider and a Mercedes Gel