Re-posting previous with formatting and other edits to help others.
MODERATOR feel free to delete previous, please!
I have tried the following amps with my Merlin VSMs since 2007 (upgrading the VSMs all along the way):
BEL 1001 MkV (solid state)
Odyssey Khartago (did NOT care for them!)
Music Reference RM-10 MkII Class A
Atma-Sphere S-30 OTL
Atma-Sphere M-60 OTL
Homemade 120 Watt mono's with Peerless iron transformers
Each has its strengths and weaknesses. The only real fault I could find with the M-60s is 600 Watt idle power consumption. That seemed like enough power. As others have mentioned, the RM-10 punches way above its weight and could be enough in a small or even medium sized room, as long as you understand that you won't get concert level macrodynamics out of a 25 Watt stereo amp. I've had mine for six years and I like it more each passing year.
But to get a little more large scale dynamics, I'm trying to choose between Quicksilver's CURRENT offerings as used market is hit or miss - I bought the RM-10 MkII new after waiting over a year for one to come up, and the Quicksilver 6C33C TRIODE monoblocks are probably even harder to come by.
QUESTION
Can anyone offer actual experience comparing the NEW Quicksilver 60 Watt mono and the NEW 120 mono, both since 2015? I see a higher damping factor on the 60 Watt so I'm leaning toward it. Listening area is about 35x15 with high ceilings and I sometimes turn it up but don't need concert level volume in my living room. I guess the older Silver 60 could be in the running, too, just not sure if it has the same high Damping Factor as the newer amps. Designer Bobby insisted that was key for my speakers. I do remember that the 120 Watt mono's sounded punchier than than the 60 Watt Atma-Sphere M-60 OTL's (if not as refined) but that could be a function of the OTL amps driving a 6 Ohm load when they would be happier with a 12 Ohm load. They are both tube amps but it's still not apples-to-apples. So how much Quicksilver power do I need for my Merlin VSMs (spec is 17 to 200 Watts FWIW). I guess I don't see a lot of other folks using > 100 Watt tube amps with them.
Thanks in advance for any responses!
MODERATOR feel free to delete previous, please!
I have tried the following amps with my Merlin VSMs since 2007 (upgrading the VSMs all along the way):
BEL 1001 MkV (solid state)
Odyssey Khartago (did NOT care for them!)
Music Reference RM-10 MkII Class A
Atma-Sphere S-30 OTL
Atma-Sphere M-60 OTL
Homemade 120 Watt mono's with Peerless iron transformers
Each has its strengths and weaknesses. The only real fault I could find with the M-60s is 600 Watt idle power consumption. That seemed like enough power. As others have mentioned, the RM-10 punches way above its weight and could be enough in a small or even medium sized room, as long as you understand that you won't get concert level macrodynamics out of a 25 Watt stereo amp. I've had mine for six years and I like it more each passing year.
But to get a little more large scale dynamics, I'm trying to choose between Quicksilver's CURRENT offerings as used market is hit or miss - I bought the RM-10 MkII new after waiting over a year for one to come up, and the Quicksilver 6C33C TRIODE monoblocks are probably even harder to come by.
QUESTION
Can anyone offer actual experience comparing the NEW Quicksilver 60 Watt mono and the NEW 120 mono, both since 2015? I see a higher damping factor on the 60 Watt so I'm leaning toward it. Listening area is about 35x15 with high ceilings and I sometimes turn it up but don't need concert level volume in my living room. I guess the older Silver 60 could be in the running, too, just not sure if it has the same high Damping Factor as the newer amps. Designer Bobby insisted that was key for my speakers. I do remember that the 120 Watt mono's sounded punchier than than the 60 Watt Atma-Sphere M-60 OTL's (if not as refined) but that could be a function of the OTL amps driving a 6 Ohm load when they would be happier with a 12 Ohm load. They are both tube amps but it's still not apples-to-apples. So how much Quicksilver power do I need for my Merlin VSMs (spec is 17 to 200 Watts FWIW). I guess I don't see a lot of other folks using > 100 Watt tube amps with them.
Thanks in advance for any responses!