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


I'm debating between these two preamps. What are your experiences and thoughts (sound quality, build quality, etc.). The Quickie is much newer but the Cary is a 6SN7 (for better or worse considering prices of NOS tubes, not that 6DJ8 are any cheaper)...
greg7
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.  
FYIWhen running Subs with a tube pre amp if possible i would suggest you run them at (Speaker level) like REL or Vandersteen does. This ensures better fidelity by not lowering the input impedance the tube pre amp sees which can cause compromise/sluggishness at the ex-streams. Cheers, JohnnyR
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