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| Model: | Silver 88s |
| Category: | Amplifier (Tube) |
| Suggested Retail Price: | $$4500.00 |
| Description: | tube monoblock amps |
| Manufacturer URL: | Quicksilver Audio |
| Review by Jack D II on March 30, 2015 at 05:23:32 IP Address: 69.137.5.160 | Add Your Review for the Silver 88s |
After years of using a Marsh A400 ss amp I shorted one channel. I still consider it to be as good an amp as I ever heard after 45+ years in this hobby(obsession). Most of that time it was used with Dunlavy SC IV speakers, also very eaasy to listen to for long periods of time and quite satisfying. When the Marsh got shorted I got a bargain on a pair of nearly new Quicksilver 88 monoblocks. I thought they would work with the Dunlavys and so bought them. I lost a little bass (the Marsh was 200/channel)but the quality of the bass was excellent and what I lost wasnt much-not enough to makie me want for more. Then I got a pair of Reference 3A Grand Veenas and struck gold with the 88s. The Veenas are easy to push and the 88s had more than enough power to make them sing. Mine were earlier models with the Murata supertweeters and the 88s went up forever and sweetly, too. Triangles and tiny bells sounded as they were being struck then rang full and pure. Midrange was and is to revel in-rich, full and solid. I need bass as long as it it tight, taunt, quick and solid, I wanted more and so got a subwoofer which has integrated very well. The Veenas start rolling off at about 60hz and the sub fills in nicely. The 88s were limited only by the speakers, I think.
I love these amps and dont need any more power. Now they are loafing.
| Product Weakness: | With my system the only thing I can imagine is more bass, but then I can never get enough anyway. |
| Product Strengths: | Great quality build, even amplification, full bodied tone, very good at the extremes with sweet, clear highs and tight, deep bass. |
| Amplifier: | Quicksilver 88 monoblocks |
| Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Conrad-Johnson CT 5 |
| Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Nottingham 294 w/Ortofon Can\denza Black |
| Speakers: | Reference 3A Grand Veenas |
| Cables/Interconnects: | Signal Cable |
| Music Used (Genre/Selections): | jazz, classical, rock |
| Room Size (LxWxH): | 30 x 24 x 7'10 |
| Room Comments/Treatments: | carpet, open to kitchen |
| Time Period/Length of Audition: | 3 years |
| Other (Power Conditioner etc.): | RSA Haley |
| Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
Thanks Jack.
As a former owner of Duntech Princesses (19 years) I've read your posts with some interest.
Not long ago I began considering a change back to tubes again and the Silver 88s were high on my list. Unfortunately there is no Quicksilver dealer nearby so I was hesitant to make a move. However circumstances turned up a pair of Manley Snappers which I "grabbed up". Now I'm not likely to ever know how the Silver 88s would compare but I find no fault with the Manleys. Glad to read you feel that way about the Quickies.
"You can't know what the "best" is unless you have heard everything, and keep in mind that given individual tastes, there really isn't any such thing." HP
Ah, but those Snappers are wonderful!!
I heard a pair at a friend's house and at the time, I owned a pair of Manley Neo-Classic 250's.
We both ended up with 6CA7EH power tubes in our amps in place of the EL34's and they held up well.
Thanks Abe,
My Manleys were used and came with 6CA7EH tubes. From an exchange with the good folks at Manley it seems early versions were delivered with EL-34s, but after some reliability problems they switched to the ElectroHarmonix 6CA7. I'm not certain but current production may have changed back to EL-34s again?
Anyway, pleased to see your positive remark about the EH.
Over the years I owned a Dyna ST-70, Marantz 8B, and Music Reference RM-9 so I had basic familiarity with the EL-34 sonics. But these Snappers are more extended in bass and treble than I remember those earlier examples, while maintaining that pleasing mid-range.
"You can't know what the "best" is unless you have heard everything, and keep in mind that given individual tastes, there really isn't any such thing." HP
My Neo-Classics came with "GrooveTube" EL34s which I believe are just rebranded tubes from one of the big tube makers, not sure who.
Unfortunately Manley had a bad batch of "GrooveTubes" that were failing out in the field. I had a couple in each monoblock go bad and the same thing happened with my friend's Snappers.
Paul in Manley's service department said something to me about EL34 makers losing the recipe for manufacturing reliable EL34 tubes. We laughed and I'm not sure exactly what he meant by that but Paul suggested the more durable 6CA7EH when retubing my power tubes. My friend did the same on his Snappers and they proved to be solid for reliability with excellent sonics.
This was a few years ago so I'm not sure what has transpired since with EL34 reliability and what Manley uses these days.
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