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Are Quicksilver power tube amps in the same league as VAC, VTL, BAT, ARC, ...?

I see that VAC, VTL, BAT, ACR power tube amps are almost twice or more expensive than Quicksilver power tube amps at the same power ratings.
Are Quicksilver power amps as good as twice or more expensive brands?
I am considering power tube amps with 80, 100, or 120Watts power ratings and I just wonder.
I don't have much budget (under 5K) and my choice is either new QS or those other brands used.
If not QS, which brands are best bang for the buck for power tube amps?
I need to drive 87dB speaker, so the power has to be at least 80Watts.
Thanks for your input.
ihcho
johnsonwu
469 posts
 
@donvito The HD220 is entirely fixable. It’s loosely based on On Semi’s reference design for thermaltrak devices.
The old production non DG designated output devices are End of Lifed but new ones are available on Mouser or Digikey.
Unless your friends tech was the one who replaced the bridge while the output stage clearly had a thermal runaway and fried the whole board, an HD220 amp that pulls standby after warm up is absolutely fixable. It’s just a bit of work and Audio research just doesn’t want to go through the trouble.
safebelayer
69 posts
 
@donvito
If ARC boat anchor gathering dust is being given away except for shipping, I would be interested. Feel free to contact me on Decware. I am safebelayer there as well. Or leave me a note on how to get ahold of you or your friend.
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,595 posts
 
I guess they just discontinued the V4 Monos....   im sure something awesome is in the works....
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
The Tubes4Hifi Vacuum Tube Audio (VTA) tube amps are excellent bang for the buck. Their service and support is wonderful, and they have a significant following.

Their factory wired M-125 monoblocks (125wpc) are $2700 plus shipping, less if you buy in kit form.  
Quicksilver are great amps. They cut non-sonic corners to allow great sonic bang for the buck. ALL amps REGARDLESS of COST can be improved - or not - depending on the system in which they reside.

M-125s can be made great sounding and reliable. They are at best a 50-50 proposition out of the box.
See  ieLogical VTA M-125 for results after 2 years and hundreds of hours of work. Read from the top for the whole sorry Tubes4HiFi story. Dozens have written  with similar tales of woe.
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,595 posts
 
I currently had an old pair of KT88 in my Mid Monos.... old, thousands of hours.  I thought it was time to replace and just retubed with JJ EL34.  These tubes sound great.   I had them before and one lost vacuum... I said that was my last pair but they sounded so good I had to give them another try
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