Preamp Deal of the Century

Paulfolbrecht or any other Audiogoners, the Sauvignon is the line stage version of the Cortese correct?

This product line is new to me.

Cost of this unit?

Does it have balanced XLR inputs?

If it does have XLR inputs how many sets?

It does offer balanced out correct?

Does Supratek have this specific pre in stock or is made on a ordered bases as they go?

The unit is remote controled correct?

What is the foot print size of each piece in inches?

When you orderd a unit how long does it take to receive?

Paulfolbrecht what is the associated equipement that you are using?

I have read that numerous people seem to have problems with noise from the power supply along with "microphonics" this really concerns me.

I don't want to even try this product if it is an issue.

What type of warranty do you get? and if there are problems with the product does the manufacture take care of it A.S.A.P.?

I received a email saying "I purchased a "Grange" and it did not work from the get go. It was weeks before "Mic" got back to me after numerous emails and phone calls, I finally spoke to Mic and refered me to take the unit to a local repair shop. With numerous trips back and forth to have the unit fixed ended up in frustration and in the end selling the unit and never even got refunded for the out of pocket money paid for the repairs."

This really disturbed me so I would like to hear from others.

Thanks

I contacted Mick yesterday with some questions and he responded back right away, answered all of my questions.

I have ordered a Cortese line stage (Sauvigon) suppose to get it in aprox. 6 weeks. So far he has proven wrong the people who have emailed me with negatives. Still have a ways to go though but my experience so far is positive.

Will post my further experiences down the road.

Anyone out there own a Sauvigon? What did you replace, whats you system consist of.

Thanks for the advice Tvad but this is going in my second system not my main so no phono set-up.

Opus88, I have been awaiting for the Cortese line stage to arrive (the Sauv.) and I have been following this thread and this concerns me. Is this only when you use the phono or both including line for cd?

I currently have a Audio Research Ref3, spoke to a few people including Mick and they say this Sauv. I ordered is quantum leaps ahead of my ARC piece. I referred to Mick and others saying "this is a bold statement to make" so I ordered one to find out for my self to see if it's factual or just hype.

I'm hoping it's factual because I really like the look and a bonus would to be able to have two, one for upstairs and one for down stairs and still have extra coin left over.

If I was you I would contact Mick with your issues to see if it can be resolved otherwise sell it and get a pre the doesn't do that, I would.

I bought a bunch of Bel Canto gear recently because I wanted to find out for myself if all the talk about Ice amps etc. was all that or just hype. The reviews that I read, please. The product is okay for what it is but not even close to what the reviewers wrote, I just recently sold all of it.

Clipsal, I own the Sauv. and it is very quiet how is the Cab compared? Mick mentioned the Cab was noisy compared to the Sauv. so it made me reluctant in getting one. Are you bi-amping with the pre? What does the rest of your system consist of.

Pjwd, information I received from Mick was that the bass of the 101D does not compare to the Cortese (Sauv. line stage that I have)the later being better. Also to get the best out of the Cab is to use it via bi-amping and that the 110D part of the pre should be used for the mid and highs and is superior to what the Cortese offers. You should use the 6H30 part of the pre as Clipsal has mentioned for the bass. Mick mentioned that this is equal to the Cortese bass. My concern was that Mick said the Cab is noisy compared to the Cortese (Sauv. line stage)

Any one have the Single not Dual Cab and compared to the Cortese? (Sauv. line)

Pjwd what improvement did you notice by using the tube dampers? What does your system consist of?

My take on Supratek,

I would like to vent and pass along what I experienced, it's not good. I am aware of others also who had issues but don't want to post do to being ridiculed.

I ordered a Sauv. pre and was given a date of delivery which turned out only to be a lie, the pre arrived months late. I was in contact with Mick on numerous occasions once the delivery date passed, what really pissed me off was he contacted me saying it was ready for delivery and for me to pay the balance in which I did. Weeks after paying I still never received anything and when I was back in contact with Mick he only gave me excuses which were lies, one lie after another, not a good way of doing business.

When the product finally arrived, in a DHL box. Not even a manufacturer's box or double boxed. The worse packaging I have ever seen, the packaging was a joke.

I opened the package up to only find my new pre looking poor in the quality of the finish. The corners were all cracked, the high gloss black finish had some runs and other areas with an orange peel effect, the chrome top plate of the pre it's self appeared to have smear marks or water marks. I tried to clean but found that this was just a poor chroming job. The power supply chrome plate was only partially plated. I was disgusted.

Prior to buying I had read and discussed with Mick that he personally inspects and listens to every piece during burn-in prior to going out the door, humm! I don't believe that either.

When you read the owners manual it also refers to this along with the reference to being hand made saying there will be marks etc. but for you the owner to appreciate this like owning a rug, bla! bla! What a joke this was! if I had read that prior I would have never bought it.

When I connected the pre., well there were issues there also.

Contacted Mick and was given excuses suggesting it was to do with the shipping company, humm! Didn't believe that either, how could you.

A friend also got a Gra pre around the same time, his had quality issues also, some the same but others which included the volume knob would not even turn.

The remote what a joke! I have never seen such a piece of crap! I paid allot of money for this pre.

Got another one, replacement months later again waiting and again, poor quality of finish, same crappy remote and crappy packaging. The chroming again wasn't all that but better, cracks in the corners again but this time my volume knob would not turn. The hole cut was off set just like what my friends was which was causing it to bind.

This was my most horrid experience in audio and I'm not alone as others have shared their experience with me.

The sound, nothing all that special.

Not shocked to see him gone and would never recommend his product.