Shocking Quickie!

[ALL212]

Just showing off  !

She is a bit microphonic but the volume knob hum pretty much disolved after letting it warm up overnight and using better cables.  The only mods were the caps, volume pot and some wire.  The base is the left over from my Crack with an experimental paint job that just works out.  I did spend some time trying to figure out why the tubes didn't get hot...   Next is damping those tubes.

Sounds so nice!!!

The test bed is a Sansui AU-9500 integrated with the jumpers pulled and a Sansui TU-777.  That's Doc up there on the right!  8)

 

[Grainger49]

Totally OT, I sold that tuner in the early 70s.  That really takes me back. 

 

[ALL212]

That tuner is a treasure.  It reeks of SEX and I can't figure out why!!  I have it in the basement, no antenna and the meter is pegged on one of the local FM stations.  I had to do a little work on it a few years back to get the FM stereo light to come on and now everything works on it.

Don't suppose you sold that one??  ;D

 

[Grainger49]

Did it come from World Electronics in Atlanta/Decatur Ga?

 

[ALL212]

Probably not - I think this was an ebay auction...

When a guy goes to the hardware store something happens to the cerebral cortex...it expands, grows creative and looks for those items that may or may not keep the world from falling deep into a black hole at some time in the future.

Aluminum tape of just enough depth to be able to thread the copper adapter onto the tube.  Microphonics down about 80%.  I can tap on the faceplate now and really have to listen to hear the microphonics.  Take your tube with you so you can size it properly.  Do NOT ask for assistance when doing this.  The proprietor may ask if you've had a recent drug test and if not, recommend that you do so in the very near future.  Ace Hardware part 103 CXF Adapt. 1/2".

Also confirmed that grounding is the issue with the hum as you approach the volume knob.  Grounding to the amp before touching the pre helps and once you've touched the amp it appears that you've "discharged" and are good for a bit before you build up that humming charge again.

 

[Grainger49]

LOL!

My wife has said almost the same thing.  There are certain stores that she will not accompany me into. 

I don't have a problem with microphony but I would still love to have some of those on top of my tubes.  I do stuff like that just to mess with people who come to listen.  I have some cheap shell/souvenirs on top of my amps' transformers.  The brave ones ask about the shells, others are too afraid.  You should see the Mermaid souvenir on my PS Audio P300.  Maybe they don't think they will get home alive after coming into the "audio den." 

Maybe I can get larger ones of these for the 2A3s and 76s!

Are your cables properly grounded?  That seems like a likely problem if your body introduces hum.

 

[ALL212]

My wife "helps" and picks out random stuff and just puts it in the cart.  I'm too clueless to notice until we're at the checkout and I have a 6" length of threaded black pipe to try and explain to the checkout clerk that no...I really didn't want that.  :

My cables are probably not grounded properly.  I just grabbed a handful.  Do you attach the ground to both ends or just one end?  I recently bought some Mogami cable from Studio Wiring (he still won't tell me his name!) and started yaking with the gentleman who runs the place.  He says to ground both ends and the last couple sets I made that's what I did - works fine.  Prior to that I only ran the ground to one end of the RCA's and then marked that end and used that end at the Pre.

Grainger - what brand tubes are you using?  I've got the ones that came with this thing - microphonic and the worst of the "hummers".  A pair of TungSols that were the worst of the ringers and I think (I taped over the label -OH NO! ) that there are KenRads in there now.

 

[Paul Birkeland]

Do you attach the ground to both ends or just one end?

The ground must attach at both ends, especially with something like the Quickie that does not reference your power line ground.

On interconnects, sometimes there is a separate shield, and that is generally only grounded on one end.

-PB

 

[4krow]

Just took another look at your 'Q' and man, you did it right. Red is an amazing color to work with.

 

[earwaxxer]

Hilarious hardware store observations! Aint it the truth! And yes, DO NOT ask for, or accept, 'help' especially at ACE, or the men in the white coats will come for you.

I do like the 'combo' metal approach as above. It looks cool to. For those who think they might be 'over the edge' on their tube dampers I remind you of my creations. The Q is a quiet as a church mouse. 

 

[4krow]

'I CAN'T BREATH I CAN'T BREATH!'  quiet as a church mouse,dead as a door nail. Eric, I'm gonna try Herbies tube dampers to see if that is a more humane way to go.

 

[earwaxxer]

Greg, you make a better door than you do a window. But you know that.... Since when are you concerned with being 'humane'? - There are other much more sexy tubes that deserve to be displayed, and admired than the 'cool as a cucumber' 3s4's.

your friend - Eric