Got my Chardonnay today. Can't stop listening to my system. This thing is sweeeet... made my soundstage just grow well beyond my speakers by leaps... Never new how 3D my Sim Audio W5 was. And the clarity and imaging, incredible. Some of the descriptions I read on this thread by some folks about how good this thing was made me a bit skeptical but I thought I would take a chance. Man, am I glad I did. This is far and away one of the best upgrades to my system I have ever made. |
Jazzdude, thanks
It does keep getting better and better as Amandarae mentioned. I used to run my Wadia straight into my W5 with outstanding results. I was thinking could not get much better than this....Wrong. Just opened up a whole new dimension to sound. Can't wait to start tweaking now.
Good listening. |
Can someone more familiar with this thread summarize what after market power chords are preferred with suprateks. I did a cursory check back into this monsterous thread with not much luck Can you guys give some examples of what folks are finding work particularily well with these preamps. I used a Gutwire C-clef with my chardonnay with great results and am going to be trying some shunyatas to see if it will take it up a notch.
Good listening |
Ooslik - or anyone using the Revelation umbilical, can we get a bit more of a description of what this thing does in lieu of the stock umbilical. All I have read so far is "its worth the cost", someone mentioned "smoother sound" and "transformed my Chardonnay". Can we get some more speicifics or are the changes to subtle to describe. $269 is not alot of money but it would be nice to get a bit more of description - I'm pretty sure Mick has thought about the quality of his umbilical on these units and knows what works best (?) So for subtle changes... it might be a bust.
cheers and good listening |
I have not received mine either - ordered about a 4-5 weeks ago. He answers his emails but in an elusive sort of way...can't seem to get a straight answer. Not sure what to make of it. I'll give it a bit more time. |
I have the RAL umbilical chord. I was curious if it would make my Supratek sound better. I inquired on this thread before I bought it as there were a couple favorable comments. I figured for $250 its not a big deal, but in the end I preferred Micks umbilical.
Not to say the RAL was all bad. In my second system (Bryston ) which is hyper detailed and tends on the bright side the RAL actually tamed things and made it sound more natural. However in my main system where I have a very natural and airy sound already, MickÂs was more in line with the sonics and only enhanced the experience/quality. But I suppose it could have gone either way. IÂm sure the auxilleries you have will play a vital role as to whether anyone will enjoy this chord better then MickÂs. That said I agree with the cautionary note. I would think a DIY project would not be in order. The RAL stuff is pretty decent build and I now have no doubt it works, but the customer service leaves something to be desired.
In a email with Mick he made it clear to me that he prefers folks use his umbilical chord as it is an integral part of the design, Certainly not just an after thought. So in the end I would recommend folks not mess around with this unless it comes as an upgrade from Mick or you are just incredibly curious (like I was), (even then be careful)
On the note of power chords I have tried about a dozen now on my Supratek while in a search for the best chord for my power amp and I have come to the conclusion, more then ever, that MickÂs preamp design is hard core solid and these after market chords make very little difference. I have tried chords costing more then the Supratek itself with very little decernable difference (ie cost of chord to improvement gained). One chord that I felt gave it a bit more air and naturalness is the Gutwire G and C clef Squared. The G-clef squared in around $300 bucks new, but its very decent and someone experimenting with chords might want to audition this chord in their quest. It IMO is a real improvement over the Stock that comes with the unit. Nice to see that you don't need high priced chords to make stuff sound good.
Like always YMMV.
Cheers and good listening |
I have a question for Supratek owners who have upgraded from a Chard to a Sauv or even up to the Cabernet, how much of a % improvement did you find , and specifically in what Âsonic areas did you find it , ie more air, transparency , sound stage, instrument separation, musicality etc . The reason I ask is I am looking at upgrading to a new CDP from a approx now 3K (4 year old CDP) to a new 7K unit.. Would I be better going with the better CDP or upgrading my Chard to say the Cabernet and putting off the CDP upgrade for now. Whats the bigger bang for the buck as it were from your experiences. Would love to do both but can only swing one for now.
Also the Chard I have now I absolutely love and canÂt imagine things getting too much better.
Sorry if this has been covered before in this 3000+ thread. I did a cursory search but did not find specifics.
Thanks and good listening |
Maril555
Noticed you have your Cortese up for sale here. You mention in your add you bought another preamp, can you share what you found better then the Supratek ? Just curious as I am in an upgrade mode too...but I am thinking of going up the Supratek chain.
Good listening. |
I use a Mullard 5AR4. It is much better in my system then the Sovtek. They are not cheap - usually around $100 - $150 dollars, but well worth the upgrade IME. I found it too be smoother and cleaner sounding overall presentation. Other then that I too have found that Mick's choice for the other tubes is excellent and playing around with NOS and other funky tubes does not necessarily provide any better sound. Often just a bit different. Often for the worse.
cheers and good listening. |
Any Supratek owners own Merlin speakers. Just curious if this is a good synergy. As with any combo I realize YMMV but I am just looking for impressions from any owners. Any feedback would be helpful.
good listening |
A Preamp on batteries. Sounds interesting. Can't help to think battery powered anything will eventually need replacing or will degrade over time as it charges and expends...(hell, I am on my 6th rechargable battery for my phone and it drives me nuts) What do you do 5 years from now when you need a new battery, spend another $3500? What if Dodd ain't around. Thanks but I'll stick to my Supratek...I have compared it to numerous preamps costing in excess of 7K and it still holds my attention. And there ain't no battery! |
Timchen
"what I am saying is why should I trust these users?"
I don't think anyone here wants you to trust them. Most could care less. This thread IMO has evolved into more of an information forum about Suprateks by people who have taken the 'risk' and have questions about the units. That said there are plenty of 'independent' reviews on the web to illustrate how good these preamps are. Also the fact that this thread is over 3000 should speak for itself. Finally the few that sell here on audiogon, sell for about 80% of their retail so the risk factor is relatively low if you end up finding it just doesn't float your boat at the end of the day.
|
Sorry - scratch my last post guys... I was browsing thru this monsterous thread and came upon Timchen's post and responded to it thinking it was recent. Its like from 2002 ...yikes . This thread has been around for so long...unreal. I gotta pay better attention.
good listening. |
If this is true, the few that own Suprateks should consider themselves extremely lucky, as this preamp will be a classic if it isnÂt already  I have very little doubt in my mind about that. It is gracious of Mick to continue to support folks who run into problems  hopefully for a long time to come. I honestly hope this is a misunderstanding but if not I wish Mick the best of luck in whatever he does. Being such a gifted designer I hope it continues to be in the audio world. |
I am another very happy Supratek owner. I have 2 close audio buddies that bought after hearing mine and their systems have been transformed profoundly as well. They will be removing my cold dead hands from mine before I give it up, heheheh Still have not found anything I like better...beleive me I have tried. Sorry for your experience there Maril. Sucks to get burned. I hope you get resolution one way or another. I still have some unfinished business with Mick but am fairly confident based on my history and communication with him and Supratek.
Maril, I just want to comment on the pieces you found better than the Supratek...Doshi Alaap, Nagra PL-P, BAT REX. WTF these are all like, what 12K+... I hope they are better .! At those prices they better not only sound better but better swallow too. hehehe Name some better 4K-7K pieces and I might be able to comment as I have probably auditioned them at length.... to no avail, I have 25 dealers within 1 hour of my house. I still have my Supratek. Also to even mention siblance and supratek in the same sentence... all I can think is what else is in your system.
cheers and good listening. Oh and good luck again. |
Hey Chelvam,
Congrats, you will love the Chardonnay. I recall Mick saying he would build some units here and there after he said his shop was closing up. I actually got a refund some time ago from him for a Sauv I had on order for over a year. He just could not oblige building it, so I got my deposit back. No worries. Sounds like he or his assistance(s) have some time now. I hope you don't end up waiting too long for your unit. I hope Mick opens up his shop again on a full time basis. I sure would like to get a Sauv or Cabernet for a second system I am putting together.
cheers and good luck. |
