Q&A

Technical QUESTIONS

You no longer have 8417 tubes, what do I do with my 8417 Mono Amplifiers?

For $250/pair (plus cost of new tubes), we can modify your amplifiers to use EL34 output tubes by changing the front end circuitry and the bias circuitry. We also replace the 12BH7 with a 6922.This modification must be done at Quicksilver and comes with a one year warranty. For original owners of Quicksilver 8417 amplifiers we will give you $900 trade-in toward a pair of new Mid Mono Mono Amplifiers. Returned amplifiers should be complete, with tubes, but do not need to be in working condition.

At what bias should I set my Quicksilver amplifiers?

M135 Mono Amplifiers EL34 – 40ma
V4 Mono Amplifiers KT88 – 40ma
M80 Mono Amplifiers EL34 – 60ma
Silver Mono Amplifiers KT88 – 80ma
KT88 Mono Amplifiers KT88 – 110ma
8417 Mono Amplifiers 8417 – 90ma
MX190 Stereo Amplifier EL34 – 53ma

The Silver 60s, Horn Monos, M60 Mono Amplifiers, the GLA, and the Mini-Mite Mono Amplifiers are self-biasing. Burned-in, matched pairs of output tubes should be used in these amplifiers.

What is the input impedance & sensitivity of Quicksilver amplifiers?

All Quicksilver amplifiers have an input impedance of 100 K.

The input sensitivity of all Quicksilver amplifiers except the Horn Mono is in the range of 1 to 1.5 volts.

What about balanced inputs?

At Quicksilver we believe very strongly in KIS – Keep it simple! Balanced inputs require extra circuitry in the signal path – circuitry that we believe gets between you and the music. There are applications for balanced inputs in the recording industry where noise becomes an issue when using long cable lengths with low level (microphone) signals. Also, some systems require balanced circuitry because all other components are balanced.

What cables should I use?

We recommend you keep it simple. Use simple cable geometries, high purity copper or pure silver, shielded interconnects, and keep your speaker wire as short as possible.

What is Quicksilver Audio's warranty?

Quicksilver Audio warranties new products to the original purchaser, when purchased from an authorized Quicksilver Audio dealer, against defects in manufacturing material and workmanship for a period of 90 days on tubes and 3 years parts and labor from the date of purchase. When Quicksilver Audio receives the completed warranty card and a copy of the sales receipt (from an authorized Quicksilver Audio dealer), the warranty period will be extended to three years, parts and labor, not including tubes. Equipment used by an authorized dealer for demonstration purposes is warranted to be free of manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for a period of three years from the date of shipment to the dealer. Tubes are warranted for 90 days and 3 years on parts and labor. Quicksilver will, at no charge, replace any defective part and make any repairs necessary to ensure the unit’s proper performance, when it is returned to us, postage prepaid. The warranty does not cover damage resulting from accident, misuse, or abuse, and is void if the unit has been tampered with or modified. This warranty gives specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. This warranty is valid only to the original purchaser. Valid only in U.S.A.

Do you have more questions?