My New Q, what next?

[J. Mauro]

I now have about 15 hours on my Q. It sounds fantastic. Huge improvement over the preamp in my NAD 3020. Still a little microphonic but that should change when I get my new tubes. I love how the clarity and depth have increased  so much with the addition of a $140 preamp.
 So, currently, my chain is JVC QL-F6 into Seduction into Quickie into power amp portion of my NAD 3020 and Klipsch Heresy 1.5 with Crites crossovers and tweeters.
It is time to start thinking about what I should build next. I am thinking about the SEX or the Stereomour. I certainly listen more through my Heresies but I do need to use headphones from time to time. I have a Bellari HA540 that I can use if I get the Stereomour but I am leaning towards the SEX for now because it has both capabilities. Also, I think it likely that I will get the SEX at some point anyway because I run low impedance, high sensitivity headphones, like the Denon D2000 and AKG Q701.
So, Bottleheads, please sound off on some advice for me. Thanks in advance.

Jeremy Mauro

[corndog71]

Having owned a pair of Heresies I would recommend the Stereomour for the extra power vs. the Sex amp (which I own).  The Sex amp sounded pretty good with the Heresies but will run out of steam if you crank it.  If 3.5 watts isn't enough power then consider building a Dynaco ST35 with EFB mod for a very effective 17.5 watts per channel.  Those NAD amps are good in a pinch but almost any decent tube amp will outperform them.

The Sex amp is excellent as a headphone amp but the Crack is more affordable.  I'm sure either would be great for your set up.

[Chris]

Agree, Stereomour and Crack are the tickets....

[Loquah]

Crack is awesome, but it won't suit J. Mauro's headphones (both low impedance). Go with S.E.X. for your current headphone stable or maybe go with the Mainline as a dedicated headphone amp seeing that the advice you're getting points to the Stereomour or other more powerful amps for your speakers

[Chris]

Yes, sorry, I forgot he had 701s and lower...The SEX is the best choice for both sure.. Its 7 am here and I have yet to sleep.. so my bad... I just cant help but think the Stereomour is the more elegant solution for his main listening requirements which are speakers.. And then maybe a Crack and Senn HD 600s in the future?? just a thought....If money is not an issue then the SEX for your current phones and a stereomour later for your speakers final solution...

[aragorn723]

I now have about 15 hours on my Q. It sounds fantastic. Huge improvement over the preamp in my NAD 3020. Still a little microphonic but that should change when I get my new tubes. I love how the clarity and depth have increased  so much with the addition of a $140 preamp.
 So, currently, my chain is JVC QL-F6 into Seduction into Quickie into power amp portion of my NAD 3020 and Klipsch Heresy 1.5 with Crites crossovers and tweeters.
It is time to start thinking about what I should build next. I am thinking about the SEX or the Stereomour. I certainly listen more through my Heresies but I do need to use headphones from time to time. I have a Bellari HA540 that I can use if I get the Stereomour but I am leaning towards the SEX for now because it has both capabilities. Also, I think it likely that I will get the SEX at some point anyway because I run low impedance, high sensitivity headphones, like the Denon D2000 and AKG Q701.
So, Bottleheads, please sound off on some advice for me. Thanks in advance.

Jeremy Mauro

This is off topic, but I like how the wood paneling adds to the retro feel of your system 

[J. Mauro]

Thanks, I like it too. Hopefully in the next year we will refinish the basement. On topic, I am wondering what kind of volume I would get with the Sex but my music room is only 13x15 so I think 2 watts will be enough. Has anyone got any experience with both Heresies and Sex, together?

[Loquah]

I can't comment on the Heresies, but I found that pairing the S.E.X. with speakers that weren't sensitive enough lead to a slightly thin / bright sound. This can be rectified with an active sub, but depends on your setup.

[J. Mauro]

They should be sensitive enough at 98 db. I listen at about 75-80 db at my seating position. I would think 2 watts should be enough. However, I am running a DL110 cartridge into the C4S Seduction with the Q and that could cause me to run out of steam. What say you?

[Chris]

Still thinking stereomour better solution... Ask Doc, PJ etc.. for what they think...

[J. Mauro]

I agree that the Stereomour is a better option, it will obviously be a better amplifier, sound better in every respect. However, I may have to go with the SEX first, just to give myself a better amp and headphone output. Then later, I can use the SEX for headphones and add Stereomour for speakers. Not to mention, the added experience of building the more simple SEX before the more complicated Stereomour. I wish I could afford both right away as well as the Eros and the BeePre but that is not in the cards at the moment.

Jeremy Mauro

[Grainger49]

They should be sensitive enough at 98 db. I listen at about 75-80 db at my seating position. I would think 2 watts should be enough. However, I am running a DL110 cartridge into the C4S Seduction with the Q and that could cause me to run out of steam. What say you?

Jeremy,

I have had 45s (1.75W) driving my 94dBW speakers to almost painful volumes in my room (larger than yours).  From your description of your speakers, room and listening taste I think the 2WPC sex will do fine.  I listen in the same average volume range you do, but sometimes just need some rocking volume.

[J. Mauro]

Thank you Grainger.

That was the encouragement I needed to put me over the edge. I am going to place my order so that I can receive my SEX kit before Christmas. I think it will be perfect until I can afford to get a Stereomour and a set of Orcas so I can have 2 systems instead of one. Thank you very much for your input.


Jeremy Mauro