Brent is a nice guy and very trustworthy. His stuff is the real deal. Some stuff is a bit pricey, but with him you’ll never question if your stuff is real or not.
As far as a solid recommendation for an affordable combo, I really like the GE 6BQ5 and RCA 12AX7A. That is a very linear and non offensive combo that has good dynamics and synergy, and wont cost you an arm and a leg.
Also, the Quicksilver user manual explicitly states use only 12AX7 variants, so you’ll want to stay away from the 12AU7 or 12AT7 tubes.
Ended up getting my tubes from Brent Jessee today; appreciate the referral! He was great to work with responded super quick with reccomendations. Ended up getting 2 matched NOS pair for the QS and 1 Quad matched for my Auris for ~300 which is pretty sweet. Got some fun stuff to do over the long weekend!
Hey guys, i have moved to Brazil and over here the electrical installations are not the best, something happens to my Quicksilver from time to time, when other electronics such as the fridge or AC turn on that i can hear a big hum in the background, it is not at all subtle lol.
I am thinking i need some sort of power supply filter, please tell me there is something i can use that will not cost $1000+?
When the problem is not present the background is as black as it gets, something is interfering for sure.
Before you look to purchase anything is there an outlet nearby that is on a different circuit breaker that is maybe only running lights or outlets that do not mix with any appliances?
This is a common problem, the best solution is to get off that particular circuit breaker on the panel by trying to get on a different circuit or running an isolated circuit to your audio equipment.
Unfortunately not, depending on how much an equipment costs to solve this problem it may be less expensive to create a new circuit for the audio stuff, that type of thing is not super expensive here in Brazil, gear is. But it is a hassle, so i was hoping some cheap filter could solve the problem?
Are you hearing the hum through your hps?
If not, it could be dc offset.
I used an ifi dc blocker before and it worked like advertised.
It’s definitely less than $1k. lol
Assuming it’s back emf from the fridge, there are lots of devices that MIGHT block it, but my experience with power filtering is it’s a bit of a crap shoot as to what works.
I’d try a HumX (it’s just 2 diodes in a lot of epoxy, but it’ll remove about 0.7V of hum on the ground/Power lines), or one of the Ifi IPurifiers (active devices that work like noise cancelling headphones).
I’ve had a few people suggest old Monster Power conditioners, as something that can help, they aren’t made any more and you can get them on ebay for ~$50.
Once your through that your into expensive solution territory.
If as HifiDJ says if the issue is the transformer in the quicksilver physically humming (which I doubt if it’s related to the fridge) and not just a hum you hear in the headphones, you need a completely different solution.
And another thought, if it only impacts the quicksilver it could also be some sort of RFI, you can test that by rotating the amp 90 degrees and seeing if it decreases or increases in volume.
I understand now, the “mechanical hum” can come from the transformer and impact the headphones. Next time the hum appears i will put my ears next to the transformer.
You won’t have to get that close it will be “obvious” if you have an issue.
It’s also common and perfectly normal for transformers to hum for a few minutes after power on, so give it 20 minutes.
That’s what I’d expect TBH, the HumX like devices are worth trying as is the Ifi IPurifier.
And if you can find one of the monster power conditioners, might be worth a shot.
Depending on what you can easily source
Unfortunately trying to resolve issues like this can be extremely frustrating.
These are the monster conditioners I was pointed at
Caveat empor - never tried one myself, but both Zach at ZMF and Justin at A&S recommended them independently.
Your entire house cannot possibly be operating on one circuit breaker???
Is there not another outlet to at least try? Heck even with an extension chord.
