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In Reply to: Qicksilver Mini MItes Momoblocks: who's using them and how do you like them? posted by dave c on March 10, 2007 at 21:21:31:
I've had them for a few weeks and am very fond of their sound. I bought them because I wanted to experiment and I have grown tired of my huge solid state designs. One nice feature is that with their auto-bias you can experiment with KT-88, 6550, 6L6, 6CA7, KT-66, EL-34, KT-77, 5881 and other variants. I have a huge number of premium matched tubes and this feature was a big plus for me. So far I have tried El-34EH's and Sovtek 6L6WXT+. I like the 6L6 sound quite a bit. It's an underated tube anyway for hi-fi and premium matched quads are a bargain at about $55. Mike Sanders said a good 6L6 can last up to 10 years in his amp, which runs conservatively, not maxed out. This particular 6L6 has a very sweet high end. I'll probaby settle on KT-88's long term as I have so many and Mike Sanders of Quicksilver said it is the best for the minis. Mine are Svetlanas.
Each monoblock has an incredible 100 Joules of energy storage per channel, far more than even the beefiest solid state designs. This may account for their incredible dynamics. It's hard to believe they only "have" 25 watts each. This is an example of quality versus quantity. I've used them with my Tannoy Eyris DC-3's and Polk RTi6's the best little two-way I have heard in years.
The fit and finish is very high. I got the optional chrome transformer covers which dresses them up a bit. You can order these for $100/4.
You have to be a fan of minimalism like I am. From your house, furnishings etc., I know you are too. The minis do not any screened graphics or fancy panels. They are just happy being underated, humble superstars.
Follow Ups:
Well, I had forgotten you had just gotten a pair.
A friend of mine deals in bankrupt stock and suchlike and he is getting them this week. They have only been a shop demo model and although the RRP is much higher here, they will cost me about half price.
I have always liked monoblocks and they are a bit more powerful than the tube integrated I am running now. That will mean I can sell 2 amps and free up some cash. I might even get rid of my 1.8 metre Kimber Select... errrr I forget which... KS 3033s and I might even be able to get such short speaker cable runs that I could use the Kimber jumper leads.
I have been thinking of putting my Pre back into the system as it would allow me to use my 1960's California hand built tube tuner again and so this would all pull together nicely. Even if my thought of an all Aussie system has bitten the dust...
I have spoken to Mike Sanders (owner/designer) a few times since I bought them a couple of weeks ago. One thing I liked was that he is conservative in terms of design so that the end user will not have some of the typical tube gear headaches.
He could have pushed their power to double their 25 watts, but then tube failures would be more common. Some of today's tubes are not very robust.
This is in contrast to my new Rogue Atlas, which I also love. It's a more "maxed out" design and requires tubes that can handle more than 500 volts. I'm on my third set of output tubes in two weeks. The first two sets each popped/flamed out a tube about 30 seconds after power up. Set one was the supplied JJ KT-77's. Set two was a new quad of mid-90's vintage E34L Teslas ($cheap/crappy). I don't think either was up to the task. The set that's in there now, a new, matched Electro-Harmonix EL34EH quad is working well so far. Basically it does not pay to skimp on tubes.
25 watts per channel is not much, but it sounds like much more. I'm moving into an apartment soon so I will have mo need for the goliaths I also have.
I must be growing up!
Ahh, NO!
Tom
Have you spoken to them? This is NOT typical. Actually, Mike knows a little bit about this amp, too, as one of his Denver dealers, Ron Gold, also sells Rogue. They teamed up at RMAF to showcase both brands.
I spoke to Mark O'Brian about the first (KT-77) failure, but not the second (E34L) one. I shot him an email about that one yesterday. He did not have an answer for the KT-77 failure, nor should he.
The affected tube locations were different for the two "flame-outs". Had it occued in the same location, I would have suspected possible circuit troubles.
In this month's Stereophile, JA measured Atlas clipping at 101 watts (single channel driven) and 86 watts (both channels driven). That's driving EL34's very hard. The Atlas is similar to the VTL ST-85 in this regard.
I know from experience that the Tesla E34L (no longer produced by JJ in that form) was a weak tube. I popped some in a Marshall head in the mid 90's when it was selling for less than $45/quad. I don't think it can handle the estimated 525 volts. You get what you pay for.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I don't want to be popping tubes all the time.
... my Ambience Ribbons are quoted at 89dB and with a power rating of 100-150 w, my 18w Valvemark seems to work very well with them, and my room is not on the small side. When I use the Unison Research Unico P which if I remember correctly is a 50w amp, I hardly ever get the volume above 3.
This will get me a nice tweaky amp, allow another excuse to put the pre-amp back into the system, free up a shelf on the rack for the pre and put a bit a of money back into the bank.
It's good when equipment for listening does not break the bank. You seem to have looked at every angle of this one. I wish I was as sensible. I buy stuff and worry about whether it is at all useful weeks' later!
I'm using the Tannoy Eyris DC-3 (89 dB@1W/1m) with my minis using the 4 Ohm tap. They are rated at 8 Ohms nominal but I'm sure they are really at least 6 or below. I'm satisfied with the match and there is still more headroom for when I wanna rock.
Try a set of Sovtek 6L6WXT+ tubes. New Sensor claims they have 20% more output than their 5881's or other sixes. About $55/matched quad. They have surprising low frequency extension. I never expected it. The deep organ pedals on "Selling England by the Pound" come through as deep and tight as with my big solid state amps.
I have told my friend I'll have them. He'll actually have them in 2-3 days so I should get them after next weekend sometime I guess.
It'll give me a few days to set up a couple of amp stands.
Cool.
or people!
I have never had a cage round any of my tube gear and never had a problem although I have been aware that TC the gangsta cat might decide that they were suitable for spraying which might have very bad or worse consequences for the amps for me and for him.
What does Freddy have to say about that?
Actually just this morning I have found a stain on my Valvemark... which luckily for everyone concerned wasn't on at the time!
I will have to fit screen doors to keep him out.
He is really in the mood for moving in at the moment.
Fred doesn't really seem to mind too much but Ginger (the Ninja) will go at him and chase him out whenever she sees him inside.
Freddie now concentrates on the white cat from the house behind (now known as The Face Of Evil) which is the aggressor in most all the fights round here.
As she is a rescued laboratory experimented on cat she is not the most socialised of creatures...
are the true kings of the cat families. More territorial and better hunters too.
Svelt, 6 pound Miss Abigail has caught two mice this winter that probably snuck in when I was taking out the trash and left the door open.
24 pound Jakey the Clown Cat is not at all fat, but let's put it this way: Without Fancy Feast he would starve to death.
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