Reduction + Quickie good companion for S.E.X?

[JosephDuffy]

Hi everyone,

I've had a S.E.X. for a few months now and I've been thinking about a couple of niggles I have with my setup, which could hopefully be solved by the Reduction and Quickie. With the 10% sale just starting I figured I'd confirm they'll improve my setup and then hopefully order.

The first problem is that my phono preamp is a little cheap and could use an upgrade. It seems the Reduction would improve this.

The other is that I can only have 1 source at a time. Although 2 is not perfect, it seems the Quickie would improve this? The option to change the volume of each input would be useful, if how I'm interpreting it is correct.

The main thing, however, is if these would fit in with the S.E.X? I don't want to have a mix-match of quality or be adding too much complexity to the setup.

On a sidenote, I've noticed something odd with my current S.E.X: the transformer plate appears to be rusting. It's a sort of brown powdery layer than comes off slightly when rubbed. If it's not obvious what it is I'll post a picture tomorrow when there's daylight. Could this be a problem/resolvable?

[Paul Birkeland]

You certainly wouldn't be the first person to use the SEX amp as a power amp, and there's certainly nothing wrong with taking this approach. 

The transformer covers for our power transformers are lightly oiled from the manufacturer.  When the oil comes off, the steel rusts.

To fix this, sand off the rust, cut a rectangular hole in a piece of cardboard as large as the transformer cover, slip that cardboard over the transformer, then spray some clear coat on the clean steel.

-PB

[Natural Sound]

I have a Seduction which is an older model but similar to the Reduction. The reduction has a better power supply and some other refinements. That said it works very nicely with my S.E.X. amp. What kind of phono cartridge are you using?

As far as adding extra inputs to the S.E.X. amp there are several options. The Quickie would work fine if you can live with just two inputs. If you needed more you could buy a Submissive Volume / Source Control Kit and put it in front of the S.E.X. amp. http://bottlehead.com/?product=submissive-volumesource-control-kit You would then turn the volume control on the S.E.X. amp all the way up and control the volume with the Submissive. That would give you three inputs to select from. The bonus here is that you will get more precise tracking of the left and right channels (better than the Quickie or the S.E.X. pot) and possibly get a sonic improvement as well.

You can also do a google search and use "RCA input switch" in the search string.

[JosephDuffy]

You certainly wouldn't be the first person to use the SEX amp as a power amp, and there's certainly nothing wrong with taking this approach. 

The transformer covers for our power transformers are lightly oiled from the manufacturer.  When the oil comes off, the steel rusts.

To fix this, sand off the rust, cut a rectangular hole in a piece of cardboard as large as the transformer cover, slip that cardboard over the transformer, then spray some clear coat on the clean steel.

-PB

I'll take a look at doing that then, thanks! I'm guessing there's no rush on that, i.e. I can do it when I build the other 2 kits once they arrive?

I have a Seduction which is an older model but similar to the Reduction. The reduction has a better power supply and some other refinements. That said it works very nicely with my S.E.X. amp. What kind of phono cartridge are you using?

As far as adding extra inputs to the S.E.X. amp there are several options. The Quickie would work fine if you can live with just two inputs. If you needed more you could buy a Submissive Volume / Source Control Kit and put it in front of the S.E.X. amp. http://bottlehead.com/?product=submissive-volumesource-control-kit You would then turn the volume control on the S.E.X. amp all the way up and control the volume with the Submissive. That would give you three inputs to select from. The bonus here is that you will get more precise tracking of the left and right channels (better than the Quickie or the S.E.X. pot) and possibly get a sonic improvement as well.

You can also do a google search and use "RCA input switch" in the search string.

I have a Rega Bias 2 Cartridge (can't find the direct product page, sorry), but the other input would be from my PC, via an Asus Xonar Essence STX.

I was thinking about getting the Submissive, but can't quite justify the extra money since 2 is "enough" and 3 would just be a luxury. I've also got an upgraded pot for the S.E.X. that I'm yet to install, so maybe that'll balance out anyway.

How do you feel about the PJCCS Upgrade for Quickie? Seems like a good thing, for the price.

[Natural Sound]

How do you feel about the PJCCS Upgrade for Quickie? Seems like a good thing, for the price.

Oh yeah, definitely get the PJCCS. I'd also recommend getting the Integration Upgrade for the Reduction if you have the budget for it.

You may want to read this thread if you haven't already done so.
http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,6411.0.html

[Grainger49]

Joseph, it looks like you have most of your ducks in a row.  The cartridge you have is a good high output, just fine with Reduction.  The PC-DAC looks good and probably has the standard 2V output that will be good.

My only concern is that the replacement pot calls itself "Precision" and is 10% tolerance.  It might not track as well as the stock pot at low volumes.

For about the same price, or less, try a Valab stepped attenuator.