Phono Stage

About the Phono Stage

The Quicksilver Audio Phono Stage is an all-tube phono preamplifier designed for moving-magnet and higher-output moving-coil cartridges. It uses active and passive RIAA equalization, internally selectable cartridge loading, and a heavily filtered power supply incorporating two chokes. The manufacturer describes it as a high-gain, low-distortion design. A separate Quicksilver Moving Coil Step-up Transformer can be used with cartridges producing less than 0.5 mV, raising total gain to approximately 67 dB and improving noise performance and dynamic range. The official product page and manual remain available, and the product is still listed by Quicksilver Audio; therefore, it should not be classified as no longer manufactured. Note that some third-party and older references describe a different earlier Quicksilver phono preamp with a 44 dB gain and 3 kOhm output impedance, so specifications should be matched to the newer 47 dB model identified by the manufacturer as the Phono Preamp/Phono Stage.