General Asylum: REVIEW: Quicksilver Audio GLA Amplifier (Tube) by Robert P

I have neglected reviewing the GLA, as it is no longer made by Quicksilver. However, as it is available on the used market and I feel is a bargain when it can be found, here is a review.
When Quicksilver made the GLA it was rumored that it used the same transformers as their 60 watt mono amps. The GLA is very heavy, about 45 lbs., and very plain. It's body is black steel, and it is not a work of art. If anything the GLA has more of a retro appearance, with the tubes right upfront. A cage could be purchased at an additional charge, but I have never seen what it looks like. The inputs are on the front, which has not proved to be a problem, and the ouputs are on either side. The ouput strips are the weakest point of the amp. The 4ohm and 8ohm taps are too close together and made using good spades very difficult. The GLA will accept EL34's, 6550's, KT88's, 6CA7'7, and the KT90 type 3.
When I recived my Quicksilver, I was using a Counterpoint hybrid amp, which in retrospect I do not recommend. The GLA, without any burn in whatsover, had a much more liquid midrage, more details in the highs, and better bass than the amp with the SS ouput devices. I was shocked that the bass was better, but I have found that to be a strength of the GLA. I have not owned a Krell or any other supreme bass amplifier, so I can't draw a comparison, although I am sure the Krell has a better bottom end.
Let's start with the sound in the highs: Very clean, very little glare, and well extended. The GLA has brought new levels of detail with my Totem Model One's. The midrange is very smooth, but I'm sure not as liquid as some high dollar tube amps. I can't really say, as I have not had other tube amps in the house to compare against, other than a Jolida 60 watt integrated which did not compare to the GLA, but it shouldn't be expected to. The bass is very untublike, at least in the classical sense. Bass is very extended, driving my Totem's down to full measure at 40hz. On a test CD, response is still very good even at 30 hz. Accoustic bass has a certain "realness" to the sound and does not lose a lot of the overtones that solid state can rob from the music. The musical bass is probably the GLA's strongest point.
Dynamics with the GLA are superb, both micro and macro. The GLA allows a very large jump factor on the Totems, probably as good as many SS amps, yet the detail and microdynamics are presented in the way only a tube amp can do it. The GLA does a good job with all music, but because of its drive and great bass, excels at Jazz, Fusion, and Rock. These happen to be the musical forms that I enjoy most so it works well for me. Stevie Ray Vaughn's guitar sounds wonderful, too, which doesn't hurt!
I started with Tesla EL34's for the first couple of years, and then progressed to EI 6CA7's. the Tesla's had a good overall sound, but were not quite as strong in the bass as the 6CA7's. After reading about the EI KT90 3, I tried those at the recommendation of Kevin Deal. This truly made the GLA shine. Bass was much more powerful, and the sound seemed to have more overall bloom. Also dynamics improved, as the KT90 was delivering more power. With the 6550 and KT88/90, the GLA is said to output closer to 60 watts for what that's worth.
OK, where does this put the GLA in comparison to other amps? I think short of a SET amp, I would have a hard time finding a more pleasing amp under $2000. There are many good (and expensive) tube amps out there that may better the GLA, but if your speakers are of normal sensitivity (no SET's) and you want to spend $700 or less, you won't find a better amp. For what is's worth, the GLA does not have the normal Quicksilver house sound. Quickies are thought to be lush and rolled off on top and bottom. The GLA is really the opposite. Nice in the middle, but not lush, and relatively extended on top and bottom. Watch for the GLA on the used market, and try to pick one up from about $600 to $700. It will drive a wide variety of speakers, and does extremely well with the 4 ohm, 88 db sensitivity Totem Model One. Highly recommended for the audiophile on a budget.

REVIEW: Quicksilver Audio GLA Amplifier (Tube) Review by Robert P at Audio Asylum