[MONKEYWICKEDMONKEY]

All, I’m currently running anQuicksilver Line Stage Preamp, which sounds good but has too much gain as well as no circuit that prevents THUMP when being turned on. I’ve reached out to Mike to see if there is a custom modification he can do but haven’t heard back. Which I guess answers my question.

So I’m running his preamp into An Odyssey Khartago (which is a high gain amplifier) into 99db efficient speakers. GAIN CITY.

So my question, as I browse both the vision SLR and the top end AVA tube preamp, is wether these will be a good match. I see both have a low gain switch which is cool and I’m curious what the gain is when engaged.

Thanks

[dB Cooper]

Talk to Frank, he can fine-tune the gain to your needs.

Klaus could possibly do the same (these two might be the most helpful manufacturers in the industry) but it may not be cost-effective to ship a power amp two ways to change out a few resistors. Frank could do it before it goes out the door.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

All, I’m currently running anQuicksilver Line Stage Preamp, which sounds good but has too much gain as well as no circuit that prevents THUMP when being turned on. I’ve reached out to Mike to see if there is a custom modification he can do but haven’t heard back. Which I guess answers my question.

So I’m running his preamp into An Odyssey Khartago (which is a high gain amplifier) into 99db efficient speakers. GAIN CITY.

So my question, as I browse both the vision SLR and the top end AVA tube preamp, is wether these will be a good match. I see both have a low gain switch which is cool and I’m curious what the gain is when engaged.

Thanks

The thump when turning on the preamp is an easy problem.  Turn it on first and then the amp which is a good rule of thumb.  You should always turn off an amp first and then the preamp.

Can't help you with the gain though. 

The AVA preamps should sound good with your amps.  Both are excellent sounding preamps.  I favor tubes however paired with SS amps and you have the option of tube  rolling to change the sound.  I am very familiar with both preamps.

[avahifi]

All AVA preamps have built in time delay turn on and instant turn off protection disconnect circuits which will eliminate turn on or turn off pops and thumps in most cases.

However the normal best practice system rule is preamp on first, wait 30 seconds, then power amp on last.  At system shut down time. Turn power amp off first, wait until it dies out, then preamp off last.

This keeps the power amp off when switching so that on or off transients from equipment ahead of the power amp can’t be amplified.

The Low Gain switch reduces preamp gain by 6 dB.

[MONKEYWICKEDMONKEY]

All AVA preamps have built in time delay turn on and instant turn off protection disconnect circuits which will eliminate turn on or turn off pops and thumps in most cases.

However the normal best practice system rule is preamp on first, wait 30 seconds, then power amp on last.  At system shut down time. Turn power amp off first, wait until it dies out, then preamp off last.

This keeps the power amp off when switching so that on or off transients from equipment ahead of the power amp can’t be amplified.

The Low Gain switch reduces preamp gain by 6 dB.

Thank you. The QS mutes for about 30 seconds as the tubes warm but then POP when coming out of mute. I leave the amp on 24/7 to keep it charged as many Odyssey fans do. I guess I wrongly assumed that preamps would mitigate any voltage or whatever effects as I thought people left solid state amps running all the time (obviously not tube amps).

The amp is not in a place where its easy to get to the switch and it also powers the part of the system for the tv so its on a good chunk of the day.

Seems like I will have to rethink how things work. I like the QS but not head over heels or anything (and don't have but 2 preamps experience).

Back to reading I suppose.

Thanks all. 

[jjss49]

monkey

two points to you

1.  don't assume if mike at qs hasn't answered you the answer is no to a gain mod on your unit - the world is in disarray with covid going crazy, all manufacturers are dealing with significant challenges -- it is us who post on this board living in a bubble listening to our music...

2.  frank's tube gear is wonderful, and yes he offers a hi/lo gain switch on some units which seems like a feature you are actively seeking - his tube gear adds some tube holography/imaging, and a very small touch of euphony compared to solid state -- but it is not old school rolled off soft top and bottom fat/bloated midrange kind of sound - like audio research vac modern conrad johnson etc etc they are trying to give you the benefits/beauty of tube sound without the traditional sonic penalties

[MONKEYWICKEDMONKEY]

All AVA preamps have built in time delay turn on and instant turn off protection disconnect circuits which will eliminate turn on or turn off pops and thumps in most cases.

However the normal best practice system rule is preamp on first, wait 30 seconds, then power amp on last.  At system shut down time. Turn power amp off first, wait until it dies out, then preamp off last.

This keeps the power amp off when switching so that on or off transients from equipment ahead of the power amp can’t be amplified.

The Low Gain switch reduces preamp gain by 6 dB.

Thanks. What is the gain of the Vision SLR? I thought I read 16db but I’m not sure where I read that.

[MONKEYWICKEDMONKEY]

  I favor tubes however paired with SS amps and you have the option of tube  rolling to change the sound.  I am very familiar with both preamps.

Agreed and that was my plan. Tubes line stage and phono into an SS amp. The speakers were an unexpected detour though and the agin was something that never occurred to me before. So although that’s the route I’d rather take I’m admittedly put off by tubes now as I don’t want to repeat my mistake.