Preamp Deal of the Century

I own a Syrah for some time and I have tried several rectifiers including Bendix 6106. 2 weeks ago I was suggested to try a RCA UX-280 directly heated rectifier and the sound was amazing! I asked Mick whether 80 rectifier can be used but his reply is NO. He also said it may even damage the power supply. Can anyone give me some advice about this? Thanks!

Waltersalas

I had the same noise problem on the phono a few months ago. I sent the Syrah back to Mick and his also fixed the problem and returned the unit to me within a few days. What can you complain with his service level? Did you pay any import tax? I declared a value of US$1,000 and end up paying $95 for the tax. I am still trying to claim it back.

Hi guys, I am having some problem with my Syrah and I would like to share it with you all.

I received my Syrah about 6 months ago. After using it for 3 months I started hearing some noise on the left channel of the phono stage. I discussed with Mick on email for some time but couldn't solve the problem so I sent it back to him for inspection. Guess what the problem is?? Mick re-soldered the left 6GK5 adaptor and the noise is gone! Mick was very kind to pay for the return shipping but I have already paid $175 for sending it back ($80 for shipping and $95 for customs). I think this is very ridiculous that the Austrialian government charged me the import duties!

So, the noise was gone when I received the Syrah back in Nov last year. Unfortunately, the problem happened again a few weeks ago! This time the noise is heard on both channels (right channel is louder). Same as before, the problem is only with the phono stage.

I remember that someone has encountered the same problem before. Has anyone else had this problem too? To be very honest I can't afford to send it back for inspection again.

2 months ago I sent my Syrah back to Mick for an upgrade to Chenin. It is no doubt that there is a hugh improvement on the phono stage but the choice of rectifier is sacrificed. I can no longer using Bendix 6106 or even Mullard GZ32 (background noise was heard). Mick explained that both tubes are not running at the proper operating points. For the Bendix, it has greater voltage drop than the 5AR4, puts out 350V against the 5AR4's 370V. The lower voltage doesn't let the regulator work properly. In other words, the regulator is "starved" with the Bendix. Same situation applies on the GZ32 but the noise is not as serious as the Bendix. The phono stage on Chenin is obiviously more demanding and sensitive than Syrah. Any comment?

I owned a Syrah before and now I have switched to Chenin. It is no doubt that the Chenin sounds more superior than the Syrah especially on the phono stage but there is a problem on the choice of rectifier. I can't use Bendix 6106 nor Mullard GZ32 anymore because they provide a lower current output. Unlike Syrah, Chenin has no tolerance on this and it produces a hugh humble noise if not using GZ34 or 5AR4 as the rectifier. Any suggestion on this?

Hey guys, any recommedation on the 6C4 for Chenin? Cheers~

Hi Ecclectique & Amandarae, thanks for your valuable input. I am going to get the Mullard CV4058 and try them out. My Chenin was stocked with RCA 6C4 and they are the only stock tubes remain on the unit. I have no idea of how the other 6C4 sounds so I am going to give a try. Frankly speaking how big is the difference betweem the 6C4 model and the later one using 6J6?

Thanks again!

Has anyone ever tried the Mullard CV1186 (6F6G) as the regulator tube on Syrah or Chenin? How is it compared with the Sylvania? Thanks!

Ethifi, I was using a Syrah before and now I am having a Chenin. I found no problem with Bendix, GZ32 and GZ34 with Syrah but for the Chenin, only GZ34 can be used. I was probably the first or second guy to own a Chenin and the first guy to realise this noise problem. I even shipped the whole unit back to Mick for inspection. I am using Sylvania 6F6G but there is no such problem found. I would suggest you to try out a pair of Sylvania 6F6G and see how it goes.

Eddy