QUICKIE CONCEPT

  • Thread starter Thread starter 4krow
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Aragorn,

Just re-read your post, and it got me thinking about the transformer cover idea you mentioned. I have two chokes coming in soon to add to the Q, and I might mount them in that area, with covers. Th e only thing is that the leads would have to be shielded against noise. Only time will tell. On the other hand, if I find the PJCCS to be the better choice, the chokes are mute. Still, when I was building this Q, I considered mounting the batteries on top, and then covering them with some kind of brass top. A curved piece that sat over them all. It is usually more trouble make something than you might have anticipated in the first place, so I just mounted the batts underneath.
 
4krow said:
Aragorn,

Just re-read your post, and it got me thinking about the transformer cover idea you mentioned. I have two chokes coming in soon to add to the Q, and I might mount them in that area, with covers. Th e only thing is that the leads would have to be shielded against noise. Only time will tell. On the other hand, if I find the PJCCS to be the better choice, the chokes are mute. Still, when I was building this Q, I considered mounting the batteries on top, and then covering them with some kind of brass top. A curved piece that sat over them all. It is usually more trouble make something than you might have anticipated in the first place, so I just mounted the batts underneath.

Cool!  Can't wait to see what that looks like.  How do transformer covers normally mount?
 
I'm thinking that it depends on the cover itself. I am still new to this stuff, and so far, covers can be mounted anywhere they fit. Some are pretty cool looking, and so it might be a good choice to mount in sight. I have ordered one just to see what I think, but it is still possible that I might fashion one on my own. Now THAT will be a challenge.
 
OK OK, I took another little turn in the design. I removed the 100K pot, and put in a Gold Point 6 position selector switch for the coarse volume control. Then the signal is handled by two more 6 step switches for each side, allowing for fine volume control. Nope, I'm not done painting the front where the switches reside.

    I MUST concentrate on leaving this just as it is! It has been many years since I have heard something like this. No time to screw with it further except finishing. I have found that by pushing the tubes a little harder, they seem to REALLY bloom.
 

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What are you using for the guts of your quickie?  PJCCS or Chokes?  Brand of tubes?  I'm curious what the ticket to success is  8)
 
Hey Greg - looks like some fancy schamcy ribbon cables you got there! I thought you didnt believe in that stuff! - anyway... I do like the looks though. You build some mighty fine looking kit.

Its interesting that you have noticed that pushing the tubes gets them to 'bloom'. I may revisit that at some point, like I do most of my experiments. I did try higher voltages with the 3s4 up to around 65V if I remember correctly. At first I thought it sounded 'better' but then I thought the lower voltages (30's) was better. So now I use 30V. I have a ton of LiPo4's around that I can link up to do some real damage.

What is the 'optimum' Quickie set up? I dont believe that there is one, and thats the beauty of it! I think each person can tune it to their needs/tastes/system synergy/WAF/CHAFF/GoNads/USAF/Inagotadavida etc.
 
Did you switch up the rca connections to have l/r channels paired instead of across the plate?

How did you get the tube sockets black and the ring red?

It looks cool and I might steal your idea  ;)
 
I took a shot at the post surgery underside of the Q(who is resting comfortably now in my system). Chokes have been what my system needed, due to the digital front end that I use(Yamaha SACD Player). Now you can see the wiring mess that ensued by making an alternate position for the center switch and using a GP at that position as well. The chokes were easy to mount, so at least that was the easy part.
I am using NOS Telefunken tubes with Herbies tube dampers. Each brand so far has it's merits, but I am sticking with this for the short term. I will be trying some JAN tubes after that.
  Eric, I misspoke by sying that I was pushing the tubes. I meant to say that I was running the Q at a higher level unlike before. My supply voltage is about 42vdc.
RIF, I used Toyota touch up paint to change the colors here and there. It is durable and very quick drying. The arrangement of the RCA jacks remains the same as the original scheme. I did use a Sorbothane ring under the tube socket. I think that I'll keep it that way. I have Herbies RCA dampers on order since these IC's transmit vibration more than most.


 

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Well, the board is made by Glassware audio. It is their version(one of two) of fine/coarse volume controls. I replaced the middle control, and put it where the Quickie volume control was.  Their boards are good, but the switches are not so good compared to some others. In this case, I chose a Gold Point for a replacement.
 
For a simpler, and better quality of this idea, refer to the 'Bee Quiet' thread. No circuit boards there, and yet a concept that would work for most cases.
 
We also bit the bullet and really splurged on the switches.

Do those open wafer switches that mount to that PCB have stops?  Last time I used them, they would just keep rotating indefinitely. 
 
Funny thing about stops. Seems it has to do with a tab on the part, that if broken off, will just go in circles. The latest ones that I have used, the stops work ok. What a difference between those and the GP switches! And while I'm at it, if you have the patience, there are a few good old ceramic body switches here and there on Ebay. As usual, Buyer beware.
 
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