To Fritz, Quicksilver, and all the exceptional makers trying to get the word out

Hi Hilde!  Been awhile...  cool to see where you are with things now. Interesting about the be tweeters.  I also like the soft domes or ribbons.  

I'll check you systems page to see what you have now.  I kind of quit posting for awhile but have had a bunch of stuff since our fritz days.  Haven't talked to fritz forever either.  I love Fritz!  I hope he is well 

Hi Hilde!  Been awhile...  cool to see where you are with things now. Interesting about the be tweeters.  I also like the soft domes or ribbons.  

I'll check you systems page to see what you have now.  I kind of quit posting for awhile but have had a bunch of stuff since our fritz days.  Haven't talked to fritz forever either.  I love Fritz!  I hope he is well 

I remember being extremely impressed by the Fritz speakers at the 2007 Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. I loved the tonal balance, and they were a steal compared to anything else with high sound quality at the show. I would have bought a pair had I not recently built a similar sized monitor designed by David Ellis and Dennis Murphy.

Back in 2014 I purchased the KT150 version of Quicksilver Silver 88 monos. I've been building some great amplifier designs released to the DIY community over the past 8 years. While I've not held on to any other commercial amps, I can't part with the Silver 88's. They, along with some of the Pass class A designs, are the most beautiful sounding amps I've had the pleasure of listening to in my system. I'm currently running the Quicksilvers into Clayton Shaw's Caladan, which is a very nice combination. Too bad there is such a long wait list for the Caladan - it is another very nice sounding, reasonably priced speaker.

Quicksilvers are GREAT amps. I remember them from the 1980s and ’90s. It really IS a shame people don’t know who Quicksilver Audio is, since their products are stellar!

I am a recent enthusiastic convert to Quicksilver Audio products.  This year I have been privileged to experience various Quicksilver amplifiers and preamplifiers in four different systems.

Due to some fortunate circumstances and coincidences, I ended up borrowing a pair of Quicksilver M135 amplifiers from a good friend who wasn’t using them.  They replaced a pair of 200 watts/channel Antique Sound Lab Hurricane KT88 tube amplifiers, one of which had malfunctioned.  I was not prepared in the least for how the M135s would transform my system.  After two decades I finally understand what my B&W Nautilus 801 speakers are capable of.  The Quickies were as extended as the Hurricanes but less harsh on top.  Bass was slightly less deep but better controlled.  And oh my, the midrange, it was and is glorious.  So rich and resonate.  Male and female voices became much more palpable.  Air around the singers and musicians improved dramatically.  Soundstage depth was more extended, width was a little less than the Hurricanes.  Remarkable amplifiers.  Bias stays rock solid,  in my amps the coupling caps and bypass caps were replaced before I got them.  And yes, I ended up purchasing them from my friend.  In his system, the M135s also sound incredible but I slightly prefer his unobtanium custom built stereo amps.  But in my system, the Quickies sounded even better than his custom amp.

That friend is long-time Quicksilver fan and an audio reviewer.  He recently reviewed a pair of Quicksilver KT Mono Amplifiers.  They are remarkable for the price.  Like all Quicksilver kit, built like battleships.  I thought they sang best on my second system with Vandersteen 2Ci speakers but they sounded really good with DeVore gibbon Super Nine speakers, with KT150 tubes driving my B&W Nautilus 801 speakers and with Acoustic Zen Crescendo MK II loudspeakers. 

Next my “evil” friend suggested I try his Quicksilver Remote Control Line Stage Preamplifier in place of my McIntosh C2200.  The step up was so huge it made me wonder is something was wrong with my Mac but that was not the case.  My Mac sounded better, especially the sound stage, compared to a Bryston preamp I had auditioned just previously.  Plus, my McCormack MAP-1 preamp is no slouch and it sounds very good – smooth, accurate and detailed – but it didn’t equal the McIntosh.  Surprisingly the most noticeable improvement of the Quicksilver Line Stage was in the bass, it was so improved that sometimes I turn off my sub now.  The Mac kills the Line Stage on functionality and looks but on what matters, the sound quality, in my system, the Quicksilver was better in every aspect.  On different system results would likely vary.  How does Make Sanders create such amazingness for such reasonable prices? 

Needless to say, I ended up purchasing my own Quicksilver Line Stage AND a Quicksilver Phono Stage Preamplifier for good measure.  Now I cannot stop listening to my vinyl.  I never knew it could sound this good.  Again, a very noticeable step-up from listening to records with the Mac preamp.

All and all I think there is pure magic in Mike Sanders’ equipment.  His KIS (keep it simple) philosophy, frankly brilliant designs, and use of high quality parts result in equipment that gets out of the way and lets pure music flow.  And his prices are crazy fair.  I have found my forever amps and preamps.