Quicksilver Remote Pre (6DJ8) & Cary SLP-88 ... Need Opinions

haven't heard the qs

the cary is a very classically tubey sounding unit... honey/rose colored, somewhat rolled off up top and down low, midbass is slow but full - lacks transparency imo

Quicksilver pre amp with the latest 12AT7 will sound alive and vivid by comparison. we just had a fellow who replaced his Cary with the Quickie and his comments were he didn't realize how much more alive the music could be.. 
Best JohnnyR

I love Quicksilver.  Best gear for the money.   I have Mikes Mid monos and head phone amp and they are awesome 

Best customer service, although unlikely you will ever need it

12AT7 is a great tube   , NOS is not crazy expensive like AX7 or 6922

I own the SLP-98 and have heard both the 98 and the QS Linestage on five different systems at least.  Each Pre-Linestage has it's own presentation and they do sound different in stock form, and both benefit greatly from really good cap and tube upgrades. My SLP-98 feeds QS Mono 120 amps with KT150 tubes, and its a nice synergy.

While I prefer the SLP-98 and 6SN7 tubes more (after the upgrades are made and with the right 6SN7 tubes in play), the QS is really nice too (and a great value), and even better once the upgrades are made and with the right 6DJ8/6922 tubes.  The SLP-98 comes stock with two sets of Pre-Outs, and this is nice if you have a dual subwoofer setup.  Mike at QS can modify the QS Linestage and re-use the Tape Out to reconfigure it as a 2nd Pre-Out set if you need to for subwoofers, and he's charged a few friends about $45 for the TapeOut-PreOut mod. Can't go wrong with either.