Quicksilver KT88 Mono Amplifier
A personal history
I first encountered the Quicksilver mono amps in Manila when my buddy became an authorized dealer. There were much fewer tube component manufacturers then, the big names being Audio Research and Conrad Johnson. Those were the expensive brands. Quicksilver offered a more cost-effective solution, a formula it still follows today albeit prices have increased much like a lot in high end. The original price was $900/pair for the 8417s. I remember them being hooked up to a Conrad Johnson PV5 and Quad ESL 63s. The sound was simply magnificent and so luscious. We were playing one of Sheffield Labs' Amanda McBroom records. I swore then I would own those mono amps some day. I did. I got a used pair for $500 a year after I moved to San Francisco. Eventually, I gave those up as I went through a round of changes as one is wont to do in this avocation. Those were durable units, having been built the old fashioned way--by hand. Wish I still had them for comparison with their replacement.
Technical details
The KT88 is packaged similarly to its predecessor. Each unit is completely hand-built. Instead of utilizing a circuit board, the components are hardwired much like the Citation II, old McIntosh, and Marantz tube equipment. For your information, I understand Air Tight also hardwires their components. It is said that this makes for better integrity. The chassis is made of 18-gauge carbon steel finished in polished black. There is an optional protective cage available in black or silver. The nickel plated transformer covers add a touch of refinement. Each unit is 14" long, 9 1/4" wide, and 6" high, and weighs 30 lbs. Power output is 60 watts into 1, 4, or 8 Ohm load. Input sensitivity is 1.25 volts. The monos use an all-tube circuit, with tube power supply. Each monoblock has a pair of: 12FQ7, KT88, and 5AR4 tubes.
Setting the bias adjustment is easy. Simply insert the furnished meter into the plug, and with a screwdriver adjust the bias to 120 milliamps (115 mA is recommended for longer tube life). That's it. Of course, one should recheck the bias once every month or two, depending upon usage.
Provenance
The Quicksilver KT88 monos under review (Serial no. 3317 and 3318) were acquired from their original owner, Sam Johnson, a lawyer from Alabama, who had purchased these in 1991. They came with brand new sets of RAM tubes as part of the sale. He had just purchased new speakers, Mirage M1s, which demanded a lot more power than the monos could deliver, hence the need for new equipment. This transaction went smoothly despite the number of boxes involved. The units were meticulously packed. The tubes, both the new and old sets, came separately in two boxes. Sam Johnson and UPS COD delivered without a hitch.
Reference
Though I have collected many components, I maintain one and only one reference system. It is both simple and practical. Having more would be confusing. The following equipment were used to evaluate the monos: Audible Illusions Modulus 3 tube preamplifier, Classe' DR-9 amp, JVC XL-Z1050 Compact Disk player, the original Pink Triangle turntable with Sumiko MMT arm and Promethean Green cartridge, Inouye power conditioner, Sound Dynamics 300Ti Speakers with Target stands, Kimber 8TC speaker cables and MIT interconnects.
I had the entire system on for about two to three hours before any serious listening. I had the CD playing several of my favorite classical disks as it was warming up. In reviewing equipment, I first look at the whole or macro level performance of the unit and the way it conveys emotion. (What, emotion emanating from an electronic component?) Then I scrutinize the relationship of the parts to the whole.
Midrange and Emotion
Taking a trip into memory lane, I retrieved several of my Sheffield Lab records and played them one by one. West of Oz by Amanda McBroom and Lincoln Mayorga (Sheffield Lab 15) was enchanting. Her voice captivated, allured, and touched one's soul. You connected with the music. For example, "Dorothy" enthralled me with its naturalness and presence. "Dock of the Bay" and "Not Gonna Say I'm Sorry" displayed the amps' rhythm. "Gossamer" was seductively lush and liquid. The same thing happened when I played I've Got the Music in Me by Thelma Houston and Pressure Cooker (Sheffield Treasury ST 200) and Lincoln Mayorga and Distinguished Friends Volume III (Sheffield Lab 1). These are extraordinarily musical amps. It was hard to get past the wholeness and focus on the parts because I was enjoying the music. In the process, I also rediscovered a great old record--History, America's Greatest Hits (Warner Bros. Records BSK 3110).
Weaknesses
One must admit that the KT88 Quicksilvers are not as detailed or transparent as other amps. This has been well documented. Their highs, though free from grain, are softer. Their bottom end is not as tight and controlled either. The Classe' DR-9, a champion of control and balance, edges the Quicksilvers in these areas. For these reasons, the DR-9 is able to provide superior see through quality. However, the Classe is very slightly less full or a little leaner which diminishes its ability to allure. It is able to capture a large portion of the bloom or fullness, if you will--say 85% of it, certainly much better that other amps I have heard. Still, it ultimately falls short of the emotional content crafted by the Quicksilvers. These mono amps, because of their power rating and slightly loose low end, must be matched with suitable speakers. They have been known to go well with Vandersteen, Spica and, of course, the Quad ESL 63 speakers.
Conclusion
Are the KT88 Quicksilvers still relevant given today's standards? I believe so, and might I add that these should be regarded as jewels well on their way to becoming classics. They may not provide the resolution of today's highly regarded amps. They have that "tube sound" meaning soft on the highs and a bit soggy in the bottom. They also don't have a lot of power. But, and it's a BIG BUT, these amps play music with emotion. They have that magical quality that draws the listener to enjoy instead of decipher and analyze. That is where these amps excel in--playing music. I could live with these for a very long time. Despite their shortcomings, I'll give these four clefs (out of a maximum of five). I have seen the KT88 Quicksilvers sell from $800 to $1200 in the used market.
by Rome Castellanes
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