Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Quicksilver Audio M80 monoblocs Amplifier (Tube) by Marc Bratton

Model:	M80 monoblocs
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$2995/pr
Description:	EL 34 80 watt all tube monoblocs
Manufacturer URL:	Quicksilver Audio
Manufacturer URL:	Quicksilver Audio

Review by Marc Bratton on March 27, 2005 at 20:34:15
IP Address: 207.69.138.11

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for the M80 monoblocs

I always swore I wouldn't write an review on a component until I'd had it at least a year. The reason being, the things it does well, you usually hear right away. Things it doesn't do so well, or even worse, irritating mannerisms, can take you longer to catch out. I've been bitten in the ass by that before.
That said, I don't think it's terribly hard to characterize these luscious amps, but I'm getting ahead of myself. In the last two years, I've had no less than five different amplifiers thru my system. My preamp was easy...once I got my CJ PV5 back from Bill Thalmann, I knew I was HOME. That should tell you volumes about my sonic preferences, which brings us to Mike Sander's M80 monoblocs.
He only made these for two years-from 1994 to 1996. When I queried him as to why, his reply was to the effect "I dunno, I really liked 'em but they just never really caught on..." Well, a perusal of the history portion of his website tells the story. He had several models at that time, and the nearest monoblocs ran several hundred less, used half the number of output tubes, and probably looked and sounded really really good. So, it's a no brainer from a marketing standpoint.
It's kind of a shame, because these are really nice amps. You've got 2 12FQ7's for inputs, a 12BH7 as a driver, a 5AR4 for rectification (yesss!! TUBE rectification!), and a matched quad of EL34's as your outputs. Build quality is just unbelievable. I don't know if you've ever been close to big pair of Quickies, but they just make any other amps I've owned, tube or SS, look like mere tinker toys in comparison. Massive, MASSIVE chromed power and output trannies, all point to point wiring, heavy chassis, knee deep in chrome (nickel, actually...but it looks like chrome). Truly amplifiers your grandchildren can enjoy. NO corners are cut here by Michael Sanders, but he doesn't waste money either. Speaker outputs are barrier strips. Yes!!! Now, with these, by GOD, you get a great connection! What audioDORK came by with five way binding posts? Those abortions, along with solid state rectification, and the transistor in general, were the beginning of the end of our Republic, but I digress.
My first improvement was to replace the skimpy 18 gauge power cords with PS Audio PowerPunch's. I'm not one to spend thousands on a power cord, but $49.95 for one that goes from 18 gauge to shielded 12 OFC gauge, and is THAT much better made, I'll spring for. I heard an immediate subtle but worthwhile opening up of the soundstage. My 2nd improvement was to get long enough interconnects that I could move the monoblocs to 2 ft behind each speaker. Even using modest DH Labs T14, there is a big improvement going from 8 ft of speaker wire to 2 ft, let me tell you! So don't wimp out...get those monoblocs BEHIND the speakers, so you can use a short enough speaker cable that it becomes less a factor. I got further improvement using Paul Speltz's "Anticables". A 2 ft pair cost me 20 bucks. The guys who have thousands into their speaker cables are going to cry when they hear how good these sound, for mere peanuts. It truly sounded like a veil was removed...things were tighter, cleaner, faster. If you haven't tried these, do so.
Enough already, how do the AMPS sound? They sound just like what you buy a tube amp for. First, there is that grainless, lush midrange. Timbral accuracy is just THERE. The piano is IN THE ROOM with you. The cello is just THERE, and it's easy to hear the tonal differences between a cello and viola when they're playing in exactly the same range. Violins can be piercingly sharp, just like in real life, but it's REAL, with no electronic haze, glare, or grit. Female voices are fleshed out, 3D, in the room. With male announcers on FM, they can sound a bit chesty, which tells me these amps are probably a bit full in the upper bass. The bass to me is the biggest treat of these amps. Very deep, Stygian, FULL, and natural sounding. I'm sorry, but to my over 50 ears, this kind of bass just flat sounds more NATURAL to me than SS bass, which sounds too tight and dry by comparison. The amount and quality of bass is just very pleasing-I was thinking of getting a subwoofer for my 12's, but no longer. Whatever you're listening to, you've got a really firm foundation.
The soundstage is very wide, deep, and layered. The 1st time I plugged these in, I noticed how much more 'pulled apart' the sound is than with any stereo amp I've owned, tube or SS. I think having separate power transformers for each channel, WELL separated physically, makes all the difference. You can really hear it. I'll never go back to a stereo amp now. These amps articulate things I simply never heard with any other amp, but in a very laid back, diplomatic matter. These amps make even a bad recording sound good, and a good recording sound wonderful
Weaknesses. PRAT and dynamics are very good; I can't keep my left foot still, listening to these amps. But I've heard kick drums articulated with more punch. The timbre of the drums is correct, but they aren't THERE with my Maggies the way a really butch SS amp can do 'em. But I've never heard ANY SS amp with a midrange or treble like these amps. It's a tradeoff I can live with.
Here's the really cool part:Magnepans are well known for needing some juice to get 'em to light up. While these amps have balls a plenty, I'm finding I don't NEED much juice to get my 12's to sing. Anything more than whisper quiet, it's all THERE...the bass, the tune, the whole thing. The 12's don't lose their coherence, even at very low listening levels. I've not experienced this with any other amp, with these speakers. This brings me to the coolest thing of all. For whatever reason, I'm just SATISFIED musically with these amps. I find myself listening LESS than before, not because it's not musically engaging, or interesting. It's more because, whatever the craving, it takes less time before my brains says "OK, that was REALLY good...thanks a lot. I'm happy now." And I am happy now, too. I no longer even consider my next amp, because these amps are IT for me...my search is DONE.

Product Weakness: Not THE most punchy amps I've heard. Plenty of balls, plenty of power, but I've heard it done more explosively.
Product Strengths: Musically natural, timbrally accurate sound as only tubes can do it.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Quicksilver M80's
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Bill Thalmann upgraded PV5
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Teres/Morch UP4/Shure V15VxMR. Rega Planet CDP
Speakers:	Magnepan MG12QR's, crossovers upgraded by moi
Cables/Interconnects:	DH Labs BL1 IC's. Paul Speltz's
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Mostly chamber music and classic rock.
Room Size (LxWxH):	see x my x system
Room Comments/Treatments:	Room is lively. See my system.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Brickwall PWR20AUD/Monster HTS 2000
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Not THE most punchy amps I've heard. Plenty of balls, plenty of power, but I've heard it done more explosively.
Product Strengths:	Musically natural, timbrally accurate sound as only tubes can do it.