Hello Scott-
You can take a look at my system link below to get the details, however I might be of some help.
I currently own the Quicksilver V4 monoblocks. My previous preamp was the Quicksilver Linestage (retail $1095) in which I replaced the tubes with NOS Mullard CV4004's. The Quicksilver linestage is very musical, however not the quietest.
I recently upgraded my preamp to a First Sound Presence Deluxe Mk II. The sonic difference is literally jaw dropping. There is no background tube noise at ALL (ears next to speaker with volume turned up). There was audible noise with the Quicksilver. Dynamics, both micro and macro are improved exponentially with the First Sound. I can not emphasize enough just how dead silent the backgound noise is on the First Sound. Not so much that the Quicksilver was all that noisy. It is the fact that the First Sound has to be the most silent preamp I have ever had in one of my systems. Why I emphasize this is the fact that the silent background allows you to hear the attack, the decay, the soundstage, the venue, etc. extremely precisely. All of this has been with stock tubes and stock power cord, as I have only had the new preamp in my system a week and have about 150 hours on it. I do plan on trying a better power cord and NOS tubes in it. I am told this will take this preamp to the next level.
peamps I have owned in the past:
Bryston bp-20
Music Reference RM-5 Mk IV
VTL Ultimate (older David Manley design - very good)
McCormack (don't recall the model)
Audio Research LS-15
Quicksilver Linestage
in home auditioned these in the past:
Audible Illusions M3A
VTL 2.5
VTL 5.5
There may have been another one or two that I am forgetting about. I can honestly say this is probably the only time I have inserted a preamp into my system and thought, "I won't ever have to worry about a preamp upgrade." I am extremely satisfied.
Hope this is of some help.
You can take a look at my system link below to get the details, however I might be of some help.
I currently own the Quicksilver V4 monoblocks. My previous preamp was the Quicksilver Linestage (retail $1095) in which I replaced the tubes with NOS Mullard CV4004's. The Quicksilver linestage is very musical, however not the quietest.
I recently upgraded my preamp to a First Sound Presence Deluxe Mk II. The sonic difference is literally jaw dropping. There is no background tube noise at ALL (ears next to speaker with volume turned up). There was audible noise with the Quicksilver. Dynamics, both micro and macro are improved exponentially with the First Sound. I can not emphasize enough just how dead silent the backgound noise is on the First Sound. Not so much that the Quicksilver was all that noisy. It is the fact that the First Sound has to be the most silent preamp I have ever had in one of my systems. Why I emphasize this is the fact that the silent background allows you to hear the attack, the decay, the soundstage, the venue, etc. extremely precisely. All of this has been with stock tubes and stock power cord, as I have only had the new preamp in my system a week and have about 150 hours on it. I do plan on trying a better power cord and NOS tubes in it. I am told this will take this preamp to the next level.
peamps I have owned in the past:
Bryston bp-20
Music Reference RM-5 Mk IV
VTL Ultimate (older David Manley design - very good)
McCormack (don't recall the model)
Audio Research LS-15
Quicksilver Linestage
in home auditioned these in the past:
Audible Illusions M3A
VTL 2.5
VTL 5.5
There may have been another one or two that I am forgetting about. I can honestly say this is probably the only time I have inserted a preamp into my system and thought, "I won't ever have to worry about a preamp upgrade." I am extremely satisfied.
Hope this is of some help.