Quicksilver Audio Headphone class A triode Transformer Coupled Single Ended
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Quicksilver Audio Headphone Amp
Class A Triode Transformer Coupled Single Ended
THIS REVIEW IS A SHORT AND SIMPLE REVIEW
Quicksilver manufactures these amps in Stockton, CA and have been in business since 1981. Mike Sanders, the owner and founder, personally tests each product to ensure it is performing optimally before it leaves the factory. Quicksilver Audio’s transformers are custom built to his specifications. The amps come with a 3 year parts and labor warranty.
Mike Sanders spent almost two years refining this design, testing a multitude of different headphones to insure the unit would drive even the most difficult headphones available. I can say without reservation this amp has gone above and beyond in regards to the goal - with a sound so good it should cost much more...
The Quicksilver Headphone Amp is a transformer coupled single ended class A triode using (2) 12AX7 and (2)6BQ5 tubes. I typically have the volume pot between 10-12 if it was a clock.Class A Triode Transformer Coupled Single Ended
THIS REVIEW IS A SHORT AND SIMPLE REVIEW
Quicksilver manufactures these amps in Stockton, CA and have been in business since 1981. Mike Sanders, the owner and founder, personally tests each product to ensure it is performing optimally before it leaves the factory. Quicksilver Audio’s transformers are custom built to his specifications. The amps come with a 3 year parts and labor warranty.
Mike Sanders spent almost two years refining this design, testing a multitude of different headphones to insure the unit would drive even the most difficult headphones available. I can say without reservation this amp has gone above and beyond in regards to the goal - with a sound so good it should cost much more...
When this amp first came out it was a bargain at $998 and now in 2022 it's price at $1198.00... it is still one of great values of our time. Why? It's construction and sound compete with amps in the $2500+ range easily. Yes it is true there is more I would like to see- I would have liked to have balanced in's or maybe a balanced topography - certainly it would be nice but may affect the price value so I will leave that alone. The sound is so good with RCA and well that's all one could ask for really. One thing I think at this price it should absolutely have is outputs so the amp could be used as a pass through or preamp. I had a little xDuoo MT-602 that cost $99 with tubes and it had a line out. But again that is forgivable as well since this amp performs so well.
What does it do well? Stage, width and depth and a velvet quiet background deep and dark (no noise) - something of a rarity in a high powered tube amp such as this. Is it the most powerful tube amp I ever heard - no. Did it drive headphones better than my Bottlehead Crack with Speedball upgrades? Yes. Did the crack sound a bit more lush and wet? Yes, but the Crack lacked the refinement to the Quicksilver in details and over all accuracy. Does it have that good tube sound or is it more clinical - no its not clinical at all and not dry. Yes this is a modern day extremely well engineered tube amp. It's balanced in its tone- not overly syrupy with tube mush, the bass on the QS is tight! The Mids glorious and the treble very detailed and layered perfectly with from what I can hear no holes or dips in the entire frequency range. Its what Laozi would teach- the blend between yin and yang or harmony.
If you are in search for an amp that gives you the tube sound most people crave with the best that solid state has and blend those two ideas together... you have the Quicksilver. Is it as detailed as my SS Ray Samuels Apache? Close, not really but my Ray Samuels would cost nearly 4 times as much as the Quicksilver and it doesn't have that tube air you get that so many want. Does it sound better than the Bottlehead Crack w/ Speedball yes- its a better designed amp with better details and tighter bass. Is it better than a Felks anything under $1900 (Elise and Echo) - I would say yes. Its more accurate. Much more refined and quiet. Is it going to make me want to sell my Ray Samuels - no. Or my Cypher Labs Prautes - no and if you read the review on the Cypher you would understand why. Some might say it's incisive in its attacks vs. the slightly rounded attacks of the DNA amps.
The Quicksilver could be a destination for parking a budget of $2500 or less happily. And you really shouldn't have buyers remorse here- you wouldn't really question the purchase or worry, did I buy something worth every penny of my hard earned cash and get that back in returns- 100% yes. So my high recommendation here for the Quicksilver.
TESTED WITH TOPPING D90 and Mojo MYSTIQUE R2R
Coffman Cypher Labs Prautes Headphone Amplifier
Ray Samuels Apache Limited Revision 4 (UPDATED 1/10/21)
HD600, HD650, Kennerton Gallahorn GH50 JM Edition Horn Graphine Closed Back, and the GH50Mk2, Kennerton Rognir Closed Back Plannar Magnetic Headphones, Kennerton Gjallarhorn GH-40 Caliber 40mm, Gold Planar GL2000 Open Back, ETYMOTIC ER4SR, Kinera Mount Nanna 2.0
6 of 10 PLAYLISTS I OFTEN USE ON DIFFERENT CD's DSD's and AMAZON HD
THANK YOU FOR READING. ENJOY THE MUSIC ALWAYS!
-John M
Headphone user, music lover & professional video/audio producer, IT Support
THANK YOU FOR READING. ENJOY THE MUSIC ALWAYS!
-John M
Headphone user, music lover & professional video/audio producer, IT Support
SIDE NOTE: So you know, I have 3 systems at my home- my speakers are Vandersteen 3a Signatures, Magnepan 3.6r and my desk top system which uses SEAS drivers in custom D'Appolito configuration. I edit videos and film on location for professionals- I mix sound for a living occasionally after I film them in person- sometimes I am handed tracks that are terrible masters but am asked to make videos from them without re-mastering the sound. My IMDB page is https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8127846/ I also do IT support for Hospitals all around the NY Area. I am not a flake or hard of hearing at all-I get sound tested by my doctor each year or two. I grew up with sound engineers in the studio who were mixing albums at The Mix Palace and Platinum Sound Recording and The Power Station, Electric Lady Studios Studios in NY to name a few. When I like something I will review it such as the Kennerton headphones I reviewed on head-fi before. If I take the time to review something it has to be meaningful- it must have moved me and compelled me to do so- I do not get paid for any reviews. I do this because I care to set the record straight on what I hear and how I felt about a particular piece of equipment.
Headphone user, music lover and professional video and audio producer
I wasn't paid by anyone to write this - so honesty for me is the best policy!
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8127846/
A tube that may need to be tested and listened to by every music lover-
The Telefunken G73-R 12AU7
