For those with Quilter 101/Aviator Cub/MicroPro - how much idle noise at low volume?

**chris32895** · 12-26-2021, 07:18 PM

As the title says. I am looking for a low volume-capable amplifier that produces very little hiss/hum at idle. I need this amplifier for apartment/small space practice. I have heard great things about these Quilter amps. However, I am very sensitive to audible hiss in my apartment bedroom and would really like that to be at an absolute minimum. I know these amps are going to produce the sound I want as I've heard so many audio clips of people using them and I like what I hear. I cannot personally test them, though, as no store near me stocks these for in-person sale or testing. Online ordering only. The exact models I am looking at are:

Quilter 101 Reverb (probably paired with the 10" 'BlockDock' Quilter Cab)
Quilter Aviator Cub Combo
Quilter Mach-2 MicroPro 200 1x8

I'm wondering for those who have had experience with these amps 1) what is the noise level at idle with nothing plugged in? Does changing the reverb level make the hiss too loud for 'bedroom' practice?; 2) How did you like that specific amp from a tone perspective?; & 3) if you've owned more than one of the above, was one better or worse to you?

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to answer!

**BigDee62** · 12-26-2021, 11:08 PM

I have the Aviator Cub. As far as I can tell there is no hiss. I’ll admit I have some hearing impairment but … I don’t think it hisses. If I noticed it I would look at the rest of my signal chain rather than the Quilter.

**Herbie** · 12-27-2021, 04:40 AM

I had a 101R for a couple a years and since then I have had a Tone Block 202. Never heard a hiss from them.

In fact the 202 is so quiet that I once had it accidentally on for over 24 hours in my study where I play and work. So in my opinion it should have a little bit hiss so people wouldn’t leave (forget) them on for too long time!

**Fred Archtop** · 12-27-2021, 05:28 AM

My Quilter 101 is more silent than a ninja. It remains silent when I cranck the reverb a little more. Good amp head for a fenderish tone.

Best.

**Bflat** · 12-27-2021, 12:35 PM

The Cub is very quiet. With the reverb there is an almost inaudible white noise I have noticed with my aviator gold 8. A friend has the Micro Pro 8 and it is very quiet as well. With regards to the best tone I have to say I like the Micro Pro best. Either way the Quilters are excellent.

**chris32895** · 01-03-2022, 05:06 PM

Just a little update. Got my 101 Mini-Reverb today and am running it through a blockdock 10" cab with the built in speaker. There is some hiss for me but it is honestly so much better than the Fender Super Champ XD or DB Mark Jazz 12. It's quite a nice little setup. I believe the apartment building I'm in is the likely culprit as there has not been a single amp I've brought in here that has not hissed. I will be buying a better AC cable but for practice purposes this will be fine. When I move I'm sure wherever I go will have better electricity.

**fep** · 01-03-2022, 08:18 PM

With my MicroPro200 8, I never noticed any hiss until I was asked to listen for it. Yes, there is some his (ear next to speaker), but I never noticed it.

**Bflat233** · 01-03-2022, 11:14 PM

I also have a MP-8 (Gen 1) and its definitely not dead silent. Some owners suggest maxing the Gain - no way I could do that without ramping the background hiss to a level that I'm not comfortable with.

It's a very powerful little amp. In my studio, if I listen for it, I can hear the hiss. If I hear a hum, it's because it's the circuits (of this older home). In a room during a gig, it's not noticeable.

One time it did become an issue and I sent it back to Quilter and they repaired a failing Reverb circuit. I asked the "floor noise" and Pat checked it personally and said the amp was normal in comparison to the other MPs.

It's a great amp - if this was dies I'll replace it with another just like it.

**Tal_175** · 01-04-2022, 09:14 AM

I have a Quilter Micro Pro 8. When every knob is turned down (volume, gain, reverb), it's got a noticeable hiss if you pay attention to it. The hiss is about the same level as my Princeton. Also the the hiss is very directional. If you're on axis with the speaker you can hear the hiss from across the room (if you're listening for it). If you're off axis with the speaker, it's pretty quiet.

The hiss doesn't get much worse with the volume but another more annoying noise comes when you turn the reverb knob. That's a bit too loud for practice levels. That reverb noise is also discussed here:
Tried a Micropro 2 today.

**Woody Sound** · 01-04-2022, 09:46 AM

I have 2 Quilter MP combos, the 8 and the HD12. With gain and vol and verb at 12:00, I had to literally put my ear right up flush to the speaker to hear any hiss. There is a tiny bit. Completely inaudible from a foot away. And I am in an old 50's house with just a 100amp box and fluorescent lights in the room. These amps are awesome. And they can be powered with a battery pack if you want, not relying on AC.

**Tal_175** · 01-04-2022, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

I have 2 Quilter MP combos, the 8 and the HD12. With gain and vol and verb at 12:00, I had to literally put my ear right up flush to the speaker to hear any hiss. There is a tiny bit. Completely inaudible from a foot away. And I am in an old 50's house with just a 100amp box and fluorescent lights in the room. These amps are awesome.

Then it seems like I have a faulty Quilter. The hiss is very clear in my amp from 7 feet away (or more) if I'm on axis with the speaker (8inch).
It's possible that there is a range of noise levels that is considered acceptable by the quality control department. It's a matter of luck whether you got one of the quiet ones or the noisy ones (within what the manufacturer considers to be acceptable noise for gigging).

**Woody Sound** · 01-04-2022, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Tal_175

Then it seems like I have a faulty Quilter. The hiss is very clear in my amp from 7 feet away (or more) if I'm on axis with the speaker (8inch).
It's possible that there is a range of noise levels that is considered acceptable by the quality control department. It's a matter of luck whether you got one of the quiet ones or the noisy ones (within what the manufacturer considers to be acceptable noise for gigging).

Yeah, I've been using mine for music theater work where background noise is not tolerated.

**Woody Sound** · 01-04-2022, 10:49 AM

ps - It would be interesting to know if the hiss also comes out of the DI.

**Tal_175** · 01-04-2022, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

ps - It would be interesting to know if the hiss also comes out of the DI.

It probably wouldn't because the hiss comes out of the power amp section in my case (ie. I get the same hiss even if I plug directly into the effects loop and bypass the preamp).

**Woody Sound** · 01-04-2022, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by Tal_175

It probably wouldn't because the hiss comes out of the power amp section in my case (ie. I get the same hiss even if I plug directly into the effects loop and bypass the preamp).

I will test that in next few days when I have the time.

**jazzkritter** · 01-04-2022, 11:24 AM

+1 with Herbie, my TB202 is silent into a BlockDock 12.
And it sounds a lot smoother that the 101 series.

**chris32895** · 01-11-2022, 04:51 PM

If the micro pro 8 is anything like the 101 I have everything you described is exactly how mine is. I wouldn't call mine faulty, either

**Tal_175** · 01-11-2022, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by chris32895

If the micro pro 8 is anything like the 101 I have everything you described is exactly how mine is. I wouldn't call mine faulty, either

Are you referring to the hiss I described in my post? In that case, I agree calling it faulty is an overstatement. If it's intended to be dead quiet as WoodSound described, then mine is an outlier. But the noise is by no means unreasonable and its probably within the normal range of component tolerances.