Quicksilver Mid Mono Tube Rolling

Hi!
I used to have these amp some time go.  Excellent amps! I had great results with these tubes as well NOS 6P3S "Russian 6L6" 

@fjn04 1,385 posts03-20-2020 9:35pm... The mono 120’s are more of a KT 150 amp by design, although I believe 88’s are ok.

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Yes, the QS Mono 120 amplifiers really are designed for KT150s with the larger transformers and higher plate voltages. In my Mono 120s I started wth KT120s, was going to try KT88s next, but Mike @Quicksilver discouraged me from doing so. Popped in a matched quad of KT150s and wallah, never looked back. I’m a diehard EL34 convert now. Like the KT150s more than I thought I would (especially when paired with really good input tubes to sweeten them up). There is a tad more air on top, more weight on bottom, added dynamics - nice linear midrange from KT150s. The real music comes in with good input tubes and 100-200hrs on caps and KT150s. Amazing with electrostatic speakers too. A few other tips to share privately offline.

My Mono 120s were stocked with decent EI 12AU7 inputs and basic JJ 12AT7 driver tubes which sounded decent. Tried a few others. Finally, had to..., 1960s Mullard Blackburns and wow, really nice.

Mid Monos, Mono 60s, Mono 120s. Can’t lose. Point to point, quality build, great value, all very nice. Put a really nice preamp in front of them and they really do compete with amps at 2-3x the price.

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Oh, and, a buddy just bought the Mid Monos. Dropped in some vintage input tubes. The Mid Monos just displaced his higher $ rig now up for sale.  

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9a513-quad-esl-2805-electrostaic-planars#&gid=1&pid=1
Here is a pic of 120 Monos driving Quads. Like most any Quicksilver system its hard to stop listening.    Best JohnnyR

Johnny R, @audioconnection
Cool - Bet that combo sounds really nice! A buddy had the larger 2905s and prematurely re-sold them because (I would suggest) he did not have amps like the Quicksilver Mono 120s to drive them properly. Only had lower power SETs driving them. As you well know, electrostatics can sound amazing with the right amp matching.

If you like the Quads (i do too) you gotta hear was this combo sounds like too, my local dealer had these and the larger ones playing for weeks - quite a amazing with 120 monos. Large speakers though, very tall.

>> Have you ever heard these 845PX before behind some nice tube amps? <<<

SOUNDLAB:
Quicksilver Mono 120s + SoundLab Majestic 845PX speakers.
https://www.soundlab-speakers.com/majestic-px.html

I’ve spent a bit of time rolling tubes into my mid monos and I recommend that you purchase the best NOS 12ax7 and 6dj8’s you can afford.  I wouldn’t waste any more money on new production tubes.  Even the Psvane 12az7’s don’t sound as good as a pair of quality NOS tubes.  I’ve had good luck with Brett Jesse, but there are plenty of reliable tube vendors.  
For output tubes I like in this order

Mullard xf2 double getters - I came across a quad for cheap, but they aren’t worth the money.
Old production Tesla’s
Winged C’s - these are the tubes I use everyday.
Gold Lion KT77’s. Decent current production tubes. 

My other suggestion is to upgrade the output caps.  I have Mundorf Supremes, but I’d also recommend Audio Notes.  
I know this all sounds extreme, but the amps are relatively affordable and they Respond well to better tubes - a testament to the design and construction of the amps.