2. amps-preamps
  3. 1168277951

Options to replace Supratek Chennin Pre

Looking for suggestions for a replacement pre for my Supratek Chennin Preamp. I absolutely love most everything about this pre except in my system it is slightly lean. I would like to stay with tubes unless the nature of tube pres is to be a little lean. HT pass thru is a requirement. The Supratek has a HT pass thru and I love how simple it is to backdoor HT through the hi fi. Price range will be about $3,500.00 new or used. I want something that will retain or exceed the holographic, open, precise sound stage that the Supra offers but with more slam and extension in the bass. I recently pulled the pre out of the system and ran direct from the wadia 861 and bass slam was improved to an exceptable degree but obviously lost all benefits of tubes.
System:
Wadia 861
Supratek
Parasound JC 1s
Vandy 3A sig
2WQ subs
Audioquest Cheetah, Cardas Golden Cross intercon
Alphacore MI2 spk cable bi wired
braro

Showing 8 responses by braro

braro OP
87 posts
 
Ecclectique - I am running the stock tubes in the Chennin. I will have to check when I get home but I think they are Electro Harmonix (sp). I have followed the Supra threads a little and it seemed like lately people were just using stock tubes as they feel Micks voicing is good. I would be thrilled if all I need to do is change a couple 6sn7s. I will see what I can come up with as far as tubes go before I give up on the Supra as it is fantastic in so many ways. Any suggestions on tubes much appreciated. Thanks
braro OP
87 posts
 
Thanks goatwuss. I have done all measurments with spl meter and rives test tones. Ive been working on this for a long time and have narrowed it down to the pre. There is a dip in the upper bass region. I dont think its room related because it goes away when I take the pre out of the loop.
braro OP
87 posts
 
Wow! Ecclectique you really know your stuff. You have described EXACTLY what my system sounds like with the EH tubes. I could not have described it better myself. I will definately pick up the tubes you have suggested. Thank you so much. I have been struggling with this issue for a couple of years now and am very excited at the possibility of fixxing this issue without more gear changes.

Thanks
braro OP
87 posts
 
Got some RCA 6SN7 VT-231 grey glass, black plates coming. Should have them on Friday. I hope this is the right one as Ive seen there are many different flavors of this tube. Ill post the results after switching out. Still on the lookout for the Kenrads though. Thanks again for the help.
braro OP
87 posts
 
I got the RCA 6SN7GT VT-231s. Ahhh much better. These tubes have transformed my system. Ecclectique the RCAs did exactly what you said they would. After a few hrs I do not hear any negative attributes. Only improvements pretty much across the board. The biggest improvement I hear so far is in the upper bass/lower mids but to my delight the bottom octave is being rendered with more weight also. The presentation is overall lush and sweet but at the same time detailed and powerful. This is probably the best change I have made to my system with room treatment as a possible tie. I am going to pick up the Ken Rads and give them a whirl also but Im quite happy with the RCAs. Thanks again everyone.
braro OP
87 posts
 
Well after some more hrs and different music with the RCAs I have come to the conclusion that they are superior to the EH in all areas except 1. Acoustic bass lacks focus at the bottom of the register with the RCAs. The bass does have more weight but unfortunately its not controlled. So what to do? I suppose the Ken-Rads may be the panacea but the longer Im in this hobby the more I realize I may never get the "right" sound and that everything is a compromise. I really don’t want to just keep spending money and hope I find the right combination. BUMMER. I suppose I could just listen to music that doesn’t have acoustic bass :) HA.
braro OP
87 posts
 
Running all stock tubes except the RCAs of course. Ok stupid question.... the rectifier tube is the one in the power supply right? I will try replacing the rectifier and Sovteks. Ikkyu2 are the tubes your referring to NOS?
braro OP
87 posts
 
Hey gang, got the KT 66s and the Bendix 6106 coming. I should have them by Friday and will report back with results. On a side note a buddy brought over his TT which he got at either a garage sale or Goodwill or something for $5.00 and has what appears to be a lamp cord for power cord. I can not believe how good this thing sounds. The images and sound stage in general with vinyl are so much bigger on my sytem. So now Im looking for a good entrylevel TT. Im thinking VPI Scout maybee. What do you guys think? Also will I need to roll tubes in the phono stage? Oh I also notice the phono stage sounds different depending on what flavor of 6SN7 I have in the pre. Should this be happening or is something wrong? I thought the phono stage and line stage were seperate.
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