Thanks for the offer. I will consider it but the Cortese seems a little out of price range right now. I also have my heart on the Berning zh-270 right now. Why don't you have your Cortese modified as was offered on the thread by Mick? |
After 2 years is this preamp still amazing?
This thread has been going just short of two years. I am wondering if those who bought these preamps a year or two ago are still thinking as highly of this preamp. I am very tempted to buy the Syrah from the raves posted on this thread and have contacted Mick asking about the delay (3-4 months currently). I guess I am mulling it over this weekend. I have a pair of Von Schweikert 4.5's being delivered today with the new Rotel RCD 1072 (another purchase I am making before hearing!) Any amplifier suggestions to mate with the Syrah with this combination?
Lastly, is the Cortese worth double the money? Thanks in advance to anyone who responds to this post. |
Is there anyone in Chicago with a Supratek preamp or amp? I would love to hear one! |
Are the Supratek amps just as good as the preamps? |
Thanks Slowhand for your response and your decision to take a chance on a component with little to no press. I have greatly enjoyed reading through the thread and most likely will order the Syrah in the next day or two. I have always been a David Berning fan when I owned an EA 230. I have been on an audio hiatus for the past 5 years or so imposed by a divorce that divested me of my large vintage audio collection. I have been looking for a very musical system that I can enjoy and leave the collecting world behind. Something I can enjoy for the next 10 years or so without needing to look at every stereo rag out there. I have been reading of the Berning amp you are using. I am wondering which speakers you use them with. I bought a pair of Von Schweikert 4.5's and the dealer is letting me use his Sophia integrated temporarily. I have some updated Dyna mk 4's that I will use until I buy a more modern amp. Do you think the Berning and the Syrah would mate well with the Von Schweikerts? Thanks for starting all this fun! |
Thanks for the response Tubegroover. I am very tempted to order both the Berning and the Syrah. I really am looking for something that I can use for a decade happily. I have been considering the Syrah for the last week and I have always been attraced to Berning amps. This seems like a real winner of a combo that would be hard to beat at anywhere near the cost. Thanks again! |
Slowhand, I have contacted Allan Hagan trying to audition a ZH-270 in Chicago. I also contacted David Berning who said that he currently has a 3 month waiting list. I guess I could buy my second system components now while waiting for Mick and Berning to build the components. Interestingly enough there is a zh-270 prototype at auction on this website. I don't know if I am brave enough to go for that unless it goes really cheap. That would be an interesting second system amplifier! Thanks for all the support. This thread has made audio fun again.
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Slowhand, the Berning would have to be sold inexpensively for me to take a chance on it. I am about to do what you suggested about placing the order. I got an email from Mick about updating the Cortese to the newest design. He said it would cost about $500 at his cost (he said it was an extensive revision) plus shipping and take 2 to 3 months for the mods to be completed. I wonder if anyone on this thread has heard the latest revision and how far it bests the earlier design. For my budget, the Syrah still seems to be the best bet for me. |
Allan Hagan has given me the number of a guy who used to have a zh-270 but now has a Ziegfried in Chicago. Allan said that there is a family sound and I will get the idea of how zh270 sounds. Does anyone have thoughts on this? Will I get an idea by listening to a different amp? Slowhand, I will take you up and come listen to your system. It would be a fun field trip! |
Tubegroover, It turns out that I may be in Florida this weekend with my wife for some R&R. Is there any chance that I could come for a listen to the zh-270 and the Syrah? I guess it depends where in Florida you are!! I would love to hear the combo before ordering them!! Talk about a great long weekend!! |
I was able for the first time to listen to my new Chenin that I bought from Audiogon last night. I feel that pictures really do not do this preamp justice because in person it is a visual knockout. It also sounds great and I only was able to listen to CD's last night. I can't wait to start spinning some vinyl again! I have a couple of questions that have come up since last night. I think there are about 8 inputs in the rear of the unit and only 4 settings for inputs on the front selector. Can someone inform me how this works? Secondly, what makes a greater difference tube rolling or a new power cable? I have seen many postings dealing with NOS tubes, Is there any consensus about which tubes are the best for these preamps? Which tubes make the greatest difference? Lastly, do most people use the high or low gain setting? Thanks in advance. Bob |
Amandarae,
Thanks for the assistance. I did get an emailed version of the manual but it didn't specify what the inputs are. Thanks for clarifying it for me. I have been playing around with the gains settings and the best for me so far is high gain with some of the gain cut back on the 6 way switch on the back of the unit. I have only played the Chenin one evening though and that could change. I look forward to comparing notes with you since we have the same amp (H2O) and preamp. They were a magical pair on my first evening using them. Bob |
I am wondering what the remote looks like on the Chenin. Is it a typical universal TV remote? Does it have any verbage that one would know it is part of a Supratek preamp? Bob |
I am wondering what the remote looks like on the Chenin. Is it a typical universal TV remote? Does it have any verbage that one would know it is part of a Supratek preamp? Bob |
Swampwalker,
Did you sell your Zh-270? How would you describe the differences between the Joule and the Berning?Bob |
I have been enjoying the Chenin quite a bit for the last two weeks. My Chenin has all stock tubes except for a GZ-37 Mullard. I am wondering if anyone might have some vintage tubes for this preamp they might be willing to sell. It is hard to imagine that this preamp could get much better but this must be the case with all the tube rolling that is going on. Bob |
I can't find my owner's manual for my Chenin. Does the Chenin have two sets of amplifier inputs for bi-amping? Bob |
I am wondering how much better the preamps get when moving up the Supratek line. I have enjoyed the Chenin for almost a year (with Apogee Scintillas Steven1960) but I wonder how much better the higher priced versions are in performance. The Chenin is the best preamp that I have ever owned and works great with the H2O digital amps that I use. I read a while ago that Bwhite didn't think the Cortese was that much of a difference from his Syrah. How about jumping to the Cabernet line stage? I would like to hear the reaction of those who have climbed the Supratek ladder. |
Bwhite,
Nice to talk to you as well. Are you still using a Supratek preamp? I thought that you bought the Aesthetix separates. Hope all is well in your new home (NC?) Bob |
Thanks Amandarie! I noticed that you sold your H2O. Where are you going now with your system? Bob |
My Chenin is at my vacation house and I can't remember if they accept XLR connection? Can anyone please tell me so I don't waste my money on wire that doesn't (or maybe does) work? Bob |
Thanks KGturner...I did not order it that way. Bob |
I am wondering why there are all of a sudden so many Granges and Cabernets up for sale? There must have been at least 4 Grange's for sale when I have never seen them for sale before on Audiogon. I believe I saw that Kevin Covi even sold his Grange on Audiogon. Is there a new model coming out? I am a Chenin owner who might consider going to Supratek's higher priced offerings. Is there somthing going on with the new Ownership? I have no evidence to support any of these questions but it seems strange that so many Grange's would come out of the woodwork. I am just a curious owner. Bob |
I was wondering if these new amps are supposed to be superior to the Burgandy amp that Mich used to manufacture. |
Thanks for the responses about the Burgandy. I was wondering if anyone here has heard the double Cabernet that received the rave review. Bob |
Slowhand,
The podium speakers look very interesting. I am putting them on the hit list for the audiofest. Anyone else from the thread going also? I use Apogees so finding a more amplifier friendly speaker would be welcome. Bob |
Has anyone tried the Revelation Audio Umbilical cord? Do they make a difference? Bob |
Tuongsy,
I have heard of others who have put V caps in their preamps. What differences did you hear when you made this mod. Also, how much in caps did it cost to do this? Bob |
Which 6sn7 in the Chenin for Classical and Jazz? I have looked through he old posts and are the Tung sol round plates the favored tubes here are there others that are less costly and just as good? Bob |
Stiltskin,
How much of a difference is there between your Gold pin EH and the Tungsol round plates. What other 6sn7 would be close in sound to the Tungsol? I keep reading about the Sylvania Bad boys. Are they as good? I understand that much of this has to do with personal preferences. I would love to try premier tubes without it breaking the bank! Bob |
Stiltskin, you have given me much to think about in your last post! Thank you so much for your thoughts. I have heard that Mick will be have the V caps as a new option on his preamps. Bob |
For those of you have gotten off the tube rolling Merry go round, I am just getting on! I am looking for a pair of used Tung Sol Round plates for my Chenin. Right now it is a lot of fun trying different tubes but it is also expensive! If anyone has an extra pair, let me know! Bob |
Stiltskin,
I was excited until getting beyond your first sentence! Bob |
I just installed a Bendix 6106 rectifier and Sylvania 6f6g's that I purchased from Andy's Vintage tube service. I was wondering how long do these tubes take to break-in and how they will change upon reaching the point. Bob |
Powers,
Thanks for directing me to that thread. It certainly is comprehensive regarding the Bendix. Bob |
In the Chenin, Can I disconnect the power supply from the rest of the preamp and just use the power supply to cook my new Bendix 6106 for a week? I will be away on vacation and was wondering if this was safe to do. Alternatively, would it be safe to just run the entire preamp for a week with the rest of the system turned-of? I read the Supratek Tube swapping thread last night and I know someone did this with his Cortese but no one spoke to regarding the Chenin. Bob |
Mick, You will be sorely missed in High End Audio! God Bless and Good luck. Thank you for all your fine work that has brought me countless hours of listening pleasure. Bob |
Anyone want to sell their Cabernet Dual? Bob |
Does that mean that you would pay %9000 for my Chenin? Bob |
Chelvam,
Did you buy NOS or is Mick manufacturing again? |
Hey Dude, stay out of this thread. Just kidding with pun intended Grannyring! |
Hope someone does a review of your new crop of preamp soon! |
What a great review! Love bringing Harvey Rosenberg into the review! Congratulations on your purchase. |
