Sorry... problem fixed. Unplugged everything and tried again. The Mute toggle switch in the picture confused me! Back to enjoying my new found love! |
Hi guys,
I'm considering getting a Chardonney - no plans to play LDs. Would Chardonney be a good match for a Perreaux EP-220 (220W SS amp) and Mirage M7-si speakers? |
My new Chardonnay will be arriving next week.
Can't wait to experience first hand what you guys have been saying all along.
Hey, we have the "Preamp Deal of the Century".
What would be your personal choice for "Amp Deal of the Century" and "Speaker Deal of the Century"? |
Hey Ecclectique, thanks for your information.
Hey guys, I need your advice.
My current system is Marantz SA-14 ver 2 SACD player, Supratek Chardonnay preamp (arriving this week), Perreaux E220 SS amp, Mirage M7si speakers. My music preferences are vocals (Eva Cassidy, Mary Black, Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Aaron Neville, etc), jazz (Dave Brubeck Quartet, LA4, Ray Brown Trio, guitar, etc) and some classical. Room size: 10 x 10 x 9 feet high. Right side has an opening, leading to the dining room of 15 x 10 x 9 feet high. I am contemplating to change either my amp or speakers over the next 6-12 months, after I've saved enough.
Question is: which one (amp or speakers) should I change first that will make the greater impact to the sound? I'm leaning towards a tube amp although many audiogoners have suggested that speakers make the most difference. Budget $3500. Thanks. |
Hi Swampwalker, thanks for your comments.
Frankly, I thought so too... that's why I decided to upgrade all my components. I can't wait to change everything in one go but there are other considerations in life other than audio, although it's my second love after my wife and children. Over the past 18 months, I've patiently changed my CD player, preamp and cables (to Audience PowerChord and AU24 system-wide). I'll eventually change my amp and speakers too but I only have one chance with each because of WAF and $$$! After the upgrades, I would have to wait a few more years before bringing up the upgrade subject to my other half. While waiting, I would just have fun and enjoy what I have and could affford. Hehehe...
Please recommend matching speakers and amp (preferably tube) that would go well with the rest of my other components? |
Hi Swampwalker and Ecclectique,
Thank you for your valuable comments. I would certainly be on the look out for your recommendations. I live in Asia and it would be easier to audition the Proac. I have listened to these speakers and like them too.
Re Cary amp, I have been considering either the Cary 805, 300B or 2A3. Which would be a better match?
Re VR4jr, I've written to Albert to find out where I can audtion them locally.
Re original Proac response 2, there's a used one on sale now, is that the one you're referring to?
I will post my findings later on. |
Another speaker that I am considering is the Gallo Nucleus Reference III. I will audition it this Saturday at the local distributor's demo place. I like the price too. Read that it can be used in small rooms. Anyone tried this speaker in small rooms matched with tube amps? |
Just received my Chardonnay (beautiful!), set it up as per instruction manual but there is *** NO SOUND *** coming from the speakers. Stock tubes are lit. I unplugged the IC from my current preamp and hooked up only 1 input (SACD player) via Input 1 and have tried output via both Output 1 and 2 on different tries, but still no different. Anyone knows why? Thanks. |
Hi, as this is my first venture into tubes, I need your help again. I'm planning on ordering some NOS tubes from a guy for my new Chardonnay.
(1) New Mullard GZ34 NOS, NIB, Double Halo Getter, black, small base.
Factory Date Codes of f32 B2I
Balanced to within 1.4%.
Tested (62,61) on a TV7 tester where 40 is the minimum.
(2) Used Tungsol 6L6WGB brown base, made for GE.
Measured 80% of new tubes.
Are these any good? |
Hi Kenji
When I first received my preamp, the same problem happened with me... I systematically tried all combination (almost I think). Finally, I turned off the power and took out all the tubes, reinserted them and turned on the power. After a few moves and when I toggled a top gain switch to High, there was a loud POP and faint sound was heard. Next I toggled the other top gain switch to High. Luckily, my speakers were not damaged (I think). For my setup, I had to switch off the power amp everytime the top gain switch is toggered, either way. Both gain TOP switches had to be set to High and back gain switch set to middle before I hear anything decent. You may try that.
Good luck, Edmund |
Hi Bwhite
Yes, these are the Brimar (typo mistake) and they are NOS from TubeDepot (perfectly matching pair @3080 uMHOS according to TubeDepot). My Chardonnay has low/high gain switches on the top panel and 6-position switch at the rear panel. The rear switch varies the load on the output transformer. I use the high-gain position on the top panel switch and the 3rd position on the transformer load selector. I am not sure whether the rear switch is a new feature. I have written to Mick and am waiting for his reply. |
Received my NOS tubes the other day...
Tried them out on my Chardonnay this morning but ran into noise problem with the 6F6G.
Appreciate if anyone could offer some help/explanation.
I have also sent an email to our tube guru (Ecclectique).
First, these are the NOS tubes I am using:
- Bendix 6101
- Sylvania JAN CHS 6SN7WGT (3080/3430 uMHOS, 3255/3115 uMHOS)
- Brima 6F6G (black round plates; perfect matching pairs @ 3080 uMHOS)
I first replaced all the stock tubes with these NOS tubes, set gain switch at the back of the preamp to the 1st position (my preference is the 3rd position), volume set to zero, and turned on the power amp last. Quiet. Waited for a minute. Still quiet.
Popped in a CD and noticed immediately improvements in imaging and dynamics.
Half way through the first song, I increased the gain by switching to the 2nd position. Sounded better. Still quiet. When the song ended, I switched to the 3rd position. After about 20 seconds, there were soft popping sound coming from the speakers and it grew louder... they sounded like fireworks... pi pop pi pop pop pi pop). I immediately switched back to the 2nd position and the noise was gone!
Next I swapped out the NOS tubes with the stock tubes, one by one until I found out which tubes were giving problems. To my surprise, it was the Brima 6F6G! I thought it would be the 6SN7. Thinking that I could still enjoy music through the new tubes, I switched to the 2nd position. Unfortunately, this time around there was that same sort of noise, even at the 1st and 2nd positions.
I don't recall anyone in this thread having problems with their 6F6G.
Is the noise I am experiencing microphonics? Is there a workaround or way to eliminate this problem? Is it possible the tubes are faulty?
Why was it okay at first when switch was at the 2nd position?
Would appreciate very much if anyone could offer some pointers what I should do next.
Thanks in advance |
When I wrote about the problem, the stock regulators were already back in place and there was no noise, even at maximum gain. Current setup (no noise): NOS rectifier, stock regulators, NOS 6SN7.
I also experienced no noise with this config: NOS rectifier, stock regulators, stock 6SN7. I have tried all combinations. Conclusion: as long as the NOS 6F6G are used, there was popping noise. |
Some updates... this time from Mick. He wrote:
"... you should be able to use 6F6G no problem. The thing is that 6F6G are at least 50 years old and there is no gaurantee that the tubes are as new - most tube testing is very vauge to say the least, and you have to be extremely lucky to get 2 perfectly matched tubes, despite what the sellers promise. There is a huge amount of hype involved with tube dealers. Quite likely it's faulty tubes. I'd send them back."
I have written to TubeDepot to see what they can do. |
Hi Fiddler
You wrote: "I have the gain on the "low" setting on my Chardonnay and I still can't turn the volume up past 9 o'clock."
Please help me understand why it is important to be able to turn the volume past 9 o'clock? My system sounds best with the Chardonnay set to the "high" setting and I hardly play beyond 9 o'clock. |
David:
[/Have you spent much seat time with the preamp in the low gain setting?]
Yes, I did but found that the sound was weaker, more backward and image lacked substance compared with the high gain setting. **sigh ** I wrote to Mick about it and he said it had to do with my power amp. I'm saving up for a Antique Sound Lab (either a Hurricane or AQ-1009) - heard them few weeks ago and fell in love with the live music they made!
Cheers Edmund |
I had my Chardonnay for over 18 months now but 2 days ago, it developed a problem - the right channel is much softer than the left channel. I've tried swapping the left and right channel tubes but the right channel is still softer. I thought the preamp was built to last for a long time.
Can anyone offer an explanation? What should I do now? |
Hi Slowhand / Kgturner
It's my mistake - I didn't check the gain switches. Yes, the left channel was set to high gain (unintentionally switched during cleaning).
Kgturner, thanks for the great tip. I love this forum! |
Kgturner
I noticed that you've placed an order for the new Malbec. How much does it cost? |
Kgturner:
when i asked Mike, he said that he was still waiting for prices from suppliers. At $3000, isn't the Malbec priced lower than the Merlot? Anyone knows the differences between the two designs? |
kgturner
Let us know when you receive the malbec and please share your experience with us. I look forward to a review. |
Price gone up so fast! Isn't coincidental when someone is starting to promote the cables? That's why I love Mick... he sticks to the same price for years. |
Price gone up so fast! Isn't coincidental when someone is starting to promote the cables? That's why I love Mick... he sticks to the same price for years. After clarifying with Brad from Revelation Audio Labs, $169 was the previous, introductory price. Also, the conductor gauge used is much heavier than the "regular" 3-pin umbilical, hence the raw materials cost is higher for the Supratek cable. The price ($199 for 0.5m and $229 for 1m) includes free Global Express Mail (EMS) shipping. I have ordered a cable. |
Has anyone heard from Brad of Revelation Audio Labs recently?
It's been 6 weeks since my friend and I placed an order and paid for 2 umbilical cables for the Supratek preamp but we have not received the cables nor heard from Brad. Brad was prompt and polite when replying our queries before the sales. We are not too happy with his current level of service. |
Sorlowski, I understand how you feel. If Brad really has a problem fulfilling the orders, just say so. I don't mind waiting so long as the reasons are valid and he keeps me updated on the progress but nothing from him so far...
If anyone reading this knows Brad personally, perhaps you could let us know what's happening. Appreciate that. |
Hi Baranyi
I think some people have ordered the umbilical cord but have not received them yet. Hence not many can give you their views. I ordered and paid for the cables in Feb; in mid Mar wrote to Brad. Then about 20 days ago, Brad (aka Vtech2000) informed that my cables would ship the following week. Till now, I've not received the cable. Talk about broken promises and poor customer service.
Better wait out until Brad fulfills his orders. |
Anyone knows the output impedance of the Chardonnay?
Will the Chardonnay go well with a SS amp such as Clayton M-100, Pass Labs X250.5 or McCormack 225? Speakers are Hyperion 938 (90 dB; 6 ohms, 3.8 ohms min). |
Guys, thanks for the inputs. |
Earlier, I have asked a question about the output impedance of the Chardonnay. I got my answer from Mick himself - it's about 200 ohms. Just in case someone might want to know. |
Fiddler, I am thinking of doing the mod too. Can you provide more information about the V-cap and DACT mod?
For the DACT, did you use CT1 or CT2? 2 decks? Which resistance value to use? Is it difficult to change? |
Fiddler, thanks for sharing. In your opinion, which of the two upgrades (V-CAP or DACT) make a greater sonic improvement?
Thanks |
Mick wrote me in Nov that "... Gain is from 5 to 25dB depending on switch." The master switch at the back of the preamp controls the amount of gain from 5 to 25 dB. |
