Actually I have never heard them at their best - I purchased them upon the recommendation of a tech - a local guy that works out of his house and would come to my home. Issue is I put some serious $ with that tech into modding the quicksilvers - and it was a huge improvement - if I change amps I will never recoup that. As I stated earlier when we recognized the mismatch he recommended an Eagle 2Cprime amp - I tried it and it gave my slightly more volume/dynamics but the magic/liquidity was not there like with the quickslivers. One option is to swap the tubes for KT88s and then if that does not do it add a preamp, but I always understood that it is important to get the speaker amp match right and then add a preamp if necessary. Any recommendations for a preamp would be welcome, and I know Mike Sanders will send me the quicksilver preamp to audition. I have one source - a computer.
change amps or speakers
I am powering Eminent technology LFT8bs with quicksilver M60 monoblocks. No preamp - I am running a dac directly to the amps, which works because with this configuration I am using very little attenuation. Problem is it is obvious that the ETs require more current and/or wattage- the detail is there but not the punch and there are times when I am maxed out on volume at 12 0'clock and need more. Question is do I change the amps or speakers - I love the quicksilvers and put some serious $ into modifications. A well respected friend/tech highly suggested I seek out a used pair of PSB stratus golds. I have a medium sized family room and like detail neutrality but need more rhythm and dynamics. Thanks you.
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The Gold Stratus won’t do. Low sensitivity and 4 ohm nominal which drops below in the midbass requires power and high current. https://www.stereophile.com/content/psb-stratus-gold-loudspeaker-1997-measurements |
@majorc I’d get a good matching tube preamp no matter what. Tons of threads on this topic alone. If you do order a Linestage preamp from Mike at QS, heads up, for $50 upgrade service fee, he can convert the TapeOut to a 2nd set of PreOuts if yourdecide to bi-amp as others suggested earlier. Or, use the added pre-outs to add a really good subwoofer for added bottom end your mono 60s won’t have to make up for. A nice sub could fill in bottom end and let your LFT8s flow with KT88s in the Mono 60s. Add good tubes in Linestage preamp from Mike@QS. Local Tech Option: You mentioned a local tech. Yes, a good local tech can also upgrade coupling caps in those amps to much better ones to add transparency you are looking for, along with checking tubes, re-bias. I upgraded my own QS Mono 120s with Mundorf Supreme EVO Silver-Gold caps, and the upgrade has been very rewarding. Yes, see your tech! Option-C: Check this out. If you keep the LFT8 speakers, you could do the preamp now, add KT88s, run for 1-2 years. Then,wait for KT170 based amps to come out next! Yes, did not mis-spell. New tube coming from Tung Sol would be perfect for your LFT8s. :) Guarantee you’d love those LFT8s all over again with a bit more drive. https://www.instagram.com/p/CG77jvZJEoH/?igshid=xj8re0i2fhl2 |
- 53 posts total