SUGGEST A TUBE AMP?

Yah, you can convert the old 8417 but then you totally change the character and in my opinion, not for the better. Too bad cuz the 5 tube version was a sweet amp. Actually they were mono's.

And yes, as others have suggested, the Atma-Sphere S-30 would also be a great choice if mated with the right speaker.

I second the Quicksilvers, I own a pair of the Mini-Mites which are great amps.

To add to Rrog's excellent post, the Quicksilver 8417 amps can be easily converted to use 6550/KT-88/El-34 tubes.

Slapman44, What is Rio Grande R.R.?

Quicksilver 8417 monos can be had for under $1,000, but beware. 8417 output tubes were short lived and have been out of production for a long time.

Another Quicksilver amp in the $1,000 range is the GLA (great little amp) 40 wpc.

There is also a Quicksilver amp designed specifically for horns. The Quicksilver Horn Monos are also in the $1,000 price range.

The original Quicksilver KT88 monos which were designed when the 8417 went out of production is also in the $1,000 price range.

There is also a Quicksilver amp called the Mini Might which is well below the $1,000 price range.

There are other Quicksilver amps selling in the $1,200-$1300 price range. All Quicksilver amps are great sounding with terrific customer support. I would like to add Quicksilver Audio is the best place to buy tubes for Quicksilver products.

Slapman44
Please stop using caps
Hard to read

Well, I never would've guessed one could get one so reasonably.

Quicksilver has several models that you can pick up for less than $1K used.

THIS QUESTION MAY BE AS BAD AS MY SPELLING BUT DOES ANYONE RENT AMPS FOR A SHORT TIME JUST FOR TESTING OR ARE THEY JUST TO EXP.? TY FOR THE QUICK ANSWERS DAVE

SORRY IVE BEEN SELLING A BUNCH OF RIO GRANDE R.R. STUFF ON EBAY

There is a Conrad Johnson MV-55 (asking $1200) that will give plenty of that magic mids, if that's what your looking for. I don't know anything about the seller.[http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1316552835]

That Atmasphere moved quick. I think this was it. [http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1317421755&/Atma-sphere-S30-Stereo-power-a]

For under a grand I would suggest a Conrad-Johnson MV 52. Usually goes for around $800. Try to get the 52 over the 50. The 52 has all polypropalene caps in the power supply.

BTW, I'm a long term S30 owner. If you can get one for around a thousand dollars, go for it, though I'd be a little cautious about why it's priced that low. Typically. it goes for $1800-2500 used.

Unsound, an S-30 was just recently offered here for $1100. Don't know what the actual selling price was. List new is $3200.

Atmasphere for "...UNDER A GRANDE{sic}..."?

An Atma-Sphere S-30 would match very neatly.
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Quicksilver makes some nice amps here in the US, they've been in business a very long time and have a great reputation.

My first foray into tubes was a pair of QS 8417 mono's that I mated with Quad 63's; wonderful sound! I sold them three years later for exactly what I paid for them.