Preamp Deal of the Century

Thank you for the first review of the Malbec, Kgturner.
Out of curiosity, how do they compare to the AES Sixpacs you previously owned?

Many thanks for the tip, David. I'll be on the lookout for the metal-based GZ34 then.

Hi gang,

I perused this lengthy thread for quite a while before deciding on the Supratek Chardonnay. It arrived yesterday, just one month after placing the order. I am quite pleased with not having to wait longer :-)

I got the black/Sheoak finish with gold knobs, home theatre bypass, remote and balanced output. It looks absolutely fantastic!

Unfortunately Mick forgot to include the user manual in the box. Can any Chardonnay owners please enlighten me on the inputs/outputs at the back? Is there a specific CD input, and which is the HT bypass input, for instance?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Thanks for taking the time to scan the manual, Kgturner.
I sure needed the manual in getting it set up - this is my first tube preamp. This is one major reason why I opted for the Chardonnay - a great user community. I knew I could count on the experts on this thread to help out a tube newbie like me.

Right out of the box, the soundstage is impressively wide, with the highs precisely detailed and lush but clear mids. I am using it with my 200W Krell power amp and the bass is just as solid as my Krell preamp in terms of slam and volume, but better controlled and a lot tighter. I am impressed! I gather from reading the thread that things can only get better with burn in, so I am very pleased to have joined the club.

Thanks again for your help!

Just to add a brief note regarding the gain switches behind the 6SN7 tubes.

According to Mick, in the later models gain switch is High, Low, Medium from the front, and not vice versa as found in Kgturner's user manual (graphic on page 4).

Hope this is useful info.

Help! Tube newbie alert here:

The chrome/silvery top of the 6SN7 tube on the right hand side of my Chardonnay is discoloring. In fact, about one third of the top has turned into this matte grey.

Is this normal after 3 days of use?
This is freaking me out!

Thanks, Allan, that's good to know.
It still works, but I was kinda worried it would blow up or something...

Can anyone give me an idea of the life span of regulator tubes like the 350B or 6F6G in the Chardonnay? thanks

Tim,
Did you buy the umbilical cable directly through the listing on audiogon? Was it the "Passage" cryosilver cable 0.5m in length?

Powers,
Welcome to the club. I'm a relatively new Chardonnay owner myself (since Sept 2006), and yes, the sound will get better and better with burn-in. Give it at least 200 hrs before you start tube rolling. I have since swapped out the stock 5881s for 6F6Gs recommended by ecclectique (thanks, bro') The Chardonnay is such a revealing preamp it will amaze you when you start rolling tubes. Have fun!

I am currently using the Ayre Cx7e which works well with the Chardonnay - clean and revealing sound. Looking into the Meridian G08 as an upgrade - very musical with a spacious soundstage. Hope this helps.

Tuongsy/Tim,

Thanks for the reply. I checked with Brad and the price has gone up to $199 now.

I've got a 1 m length Revelation Audio Labs CryoSilver Reference umbilical power cable for my Chardonnay which is now unfortunately too short for my new rack. Last I heard 1 m for this is now $269.

Mine's in perfect condition, used only for the last 6 months. I'm going to get a longer one. Asking for $199 obo.
If anyone's interested, shoot me an email.