Quicksilver GLA Operating Instructions Manual

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Quicksilver Audio GLA (Great Little Amp) Amplifier

Operating Instructions

Thank you for purchasing a Quicksilver Audio GLA. This unit was designed to be simple and reliable and to give wonderful sound quality at a reasonable price. We at Quicksilver are confident you will enjoy it!

This device has very high internal voltages. Never operate with the bottom removed! Never operate your amplifers with the speakers disconnected. To prolong the life of your amplifiers, never turn them on and off within a short period of time (45 seconds.)

ALLOW ADEQUATE VENTILATION

The amplifier should be placed where it will have plenty of air circulation.

SPEAKER CONNECTION Screw terminals are used for speaker connections because of their superior sonic performance. The output transformer wires are silver soldered directly to the screw strips eliminating any output wiring. The connection to the 4 or 8 ohm tap will be determined by the rating on the back of your speaker system. The 1 ohm tap is for special applications only.

INITIAL TURN-ON Insert the tubes in their proper sockets. Connect the amp into the system and turn it on. The amplifier is self-biasing so no adjustments are necessary. You should, however, be sure to purchase D.C. matched output tubes.

FUSE BLOWING If the 4 amp (slo-blo) fuse blows, replace it with no larger than a 4 amp fuse. A 3 amp fuse can also be used. If the fuse continues to blow an output tube could be damaged; or there may be other problems, such as poor system grounding, an unstable preamp, a shorted speaker, etc. Interchanging the cables between channels can help determine if the problem is in the system or in the amp.

TROUBLE SHOOTING Important - Never operate the amp with less than 3 output tubes. If the sound from one channel is distorted and you suspect the amp, switch output tubes between channels to determine if an output tube is bad.

TUBE REPLACEMENT The GLA is sold with matched EL34 output tubes; but 6550s or KT88s can also be used; however all 4 tubes must be the same type. Output tubes must be replaced as a matched pair and should be purchased through Quicksilver Audio or a Quicksilver dealer. Quicksilver output tubes are “burned-in” for 10 hours prior to matching, and their performance is guaranteed. Other tubes in the GLA should be replaced only with the same type and brand originally in the amplifier.

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Push up

POWER

SWITCH

OUTPUT

to turn on.

SPEAKER

TRANSFORMER

TERMINALS

POWER SUPPLY

CAPACITORS

INPUT

12AX7

TUBE

SCREW

THREADED

HOLE FOR CAGE

EL-34

POWER

CORD

POWER

4 AMP

SLO-BLO

TRANSFORMER

4 amp

FUSE

6DJ8

12AX7

INPUT CONNECTORS

MA TCHED QUAR TET

OUTPUT TUBES- EL34 OR KT88

EL-34

OUTPUT

TRANSFORMER

SPEAKER

TERMINALS

6DJ8

DRIVER

TUBE

SCREW

THREADED

HOLE FOR CAGE

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SPECIAL FEATURES

Quicksilver GLA uses no circuit boards or transistors. It is hand-wired, uses gold-plated input jacks and has 60 watt output transformers. All tubes are run well within their ratings and are protected from turn-on surge for long life.

GLA (Great Little Amp) SPECIFICATIONS

Power Output 40 watts per channel into 4 or 8 Ω

Power Bandwidth 12 Hz to 55 KHz

Input Sensitivity 1 volt

Input Impedance 100 K

Tube Complement 4 - EL34

1 - 6DJ8 or 6922 1 - 12AX7

Finish Carbide black chassis

Dimensions 15 1/8"L x 9 3/4"W x 5" H

Weight 48 lbs, 52 lbs shipping

WARRANTY Quicksilver Audio warranties your amplifiers for a period of 1 year from the date of purchase (90 days on tubes.) Parts and labor are provided free of charge as long as the failure was not caused by misuse, accident or negligence. Shipping to the factory is not included.

Retain at least one packing carton in case a unit needs to be returned for service.

Quicksilver Audio

5635 Riggins Court, Unit 15

Reno, NV 89502

(775) 825-1514 / Fax 825-1552

www.quicksilveraudio.com