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change amps or speakers

I am powering Eminent technology LFT8bs with quicksilver M60 monoblocks.  No preamp - I am running a dac directly to the amps, which works because with this configuration I am using very little attenuation.  Problem is it is obvious that the ETs require more current and/or wattage- the detail is there but not the punch and there are times when I am maxed out on volume at 12 0'clock and need more. Question is do I change the amps or speakers - I love the quicksilvers and put some serious $ into modifications.  A well respected friend/tech highly suggested I seek out a used pair of PSB stratus golds. I have a medium sized family room and like detail neutrality but need more rhythm and dynamics. Thanks you.
majorc

Showing 9 responses by majorc

majorc OP
78 posts
 
Most of you confirmed my instinct: replace the speakers with more efficient ones that will work with the quicksilvers. Any recommendations in the 3,000 range new or used? 
majorc OP
78 posts
 
Thank you for your input. Before I make a decision to purchase the KT88s for use with the ETs, does anyone any thoughts regarding how a newer speaker such as Fritz or Salk would compare to the ETs?  (my room is 20X14) And does anyone have any experience with the PSB stratus golds and would they be a good fit for the quicksilvers - they are rated 88db/4ohms.  Have a great weekend.
majorc OP
78 posts
 
Yes Mike mentioned Klipsch right off the bat.  Are any of you familiar with the various models? 
majorc OP
78 posts
 
Thank you. I did speak with Mike at Quicksilver and he thought the amps were sufficient to drive the speakers so long as my room was not to big and I don't play too loud; he also recommended possibly trying a preamp. But I did use a preamp (sonic frontiers anthem pre1P) and it sounded better going direct without the preamp - much more detail - as though a blanket was taken off the speakers.  But the tradeoff is now I have detail but no weight or dynamics - the sound is a bit thin - and I do need a bit more volume.  My budget is 3,000 give or take - if I had to choose 1 to replace it would probably be the speakers - I love the amps.  And I tried replacing the amps with an Eagle 2c prime which was recommended to drive the ETs, and it gave me a bit more volume but did not in any way compare to the sweetness of the quicksilvers.  I understand  the moscode 600 is recommended to drive  ETs- not sure how that compares to the Quicksilvers sound quality wise.    
majorc OP
78 posts
 
I have the old ones. Any recommendations for speakers should I go that route - and thoughts on the PSB stratus gold that was recommended to me?  A friend of mine has a pair of the old goldmund dialogues which are very efficient and sound great.
majorc OP
78 posts
 
EL34
majorc OP
78 posts
 

Actually I have never heard them at their best - I purchased them upon the recommendation of a tech - a local guy that works out of his house and would come to my home. Issue is I put some serious $ with that tech into modding the quicksilvers - and it was a huge improvement - if I change amps I will never recoup that.   As I stated earlier when we recognized the mismatch he recommended an Eagle 2Cprime amp - I tried it and it gave my slightly more volume/dynamics but the magic/liquidity was not there like with the quickslivers. One option is to swap the tubes for KT88s and then if that does not do it add a preamp, but I always understood that it is important to get the speaker amp match right and then add a preamp if necessary.  Any recommendations for a preamp would be welcome, and I know Mike Sanders will send me the quicksilver preamp to audition.  I have one source - a computer.  



majorc OP
78 posts
 
Thank you.  Looks like I will need an active preamp no matter what avenue I decide to take so I will try that.  Any suggestions?  I can start with the quicksilver line stage - others I see on the gon that are highly touted is Don Sachs and Backert. I wish I didn't put so much money into modding my quicksilvers - if I didn't I would just sell them and replace with the newer model.  
majorc OP
78 posts
 
I'm back - was going to go the preamp route but I spoke with Mike at QS and he said the older M60s are a complete no go with the ETs - they are way to inefficient. He said doesn't matter whether the speakers are 8 or 4 ohms with the M60s, but to look for speakers with 90db or greater sensitivity - Mike suggested a pair of older JBLs. Any recommendations would be welcome - some that were previously expressed in this thread were the tekton and JBL 4425s.    
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