2. amps-preamps
  3. 1016931418

Preamp Deal of the Century

If anyone is looking for a true "World Class" preamp at a very fair price..heed my advice. I just recieved a Supratek Syrah preamp that was hand built by Mick Maloney in Western Australia, and it is absolutely beautiful! This preamp is the best deal you will ever find. I would put it up against any preamp out there for both looks and sound. Price? $2500 for the Syrah (includes Killer Phono stage). Not into phono? Try the Chardonney line stage for $2100. Don't get me wrong, I am not associated with this company. I am just a very happy owner! This preamp is VERY dynamic, yet liquid. It conveys the sound of music better than any other preamp that I have ever heard! You can check out the Supratek website at www. cantech.net.au
slowhand

Showing 9 responses by mlkiz

mlkiz
33 posts
 
I just contacted Mick about ordering a Syrah. I'm assuming most of you still love this preamp and that even though its his most basic model, it is still a great piece of equipment which competes with much more expensive units. Do you still feel that way? I hope the Syrah is at least much better than the Conrad Johnson PV12 with phono that I currently have and have enjoyed. Also, besides the remote control, is there anything else special I should be asking him for? Thanks for your help.
mlkiz
33 posts
 
Wanted you to know that the 5amp fuse solved the problem with the fuse and the addition of a Denon DL103 mc cartridge solved the problem with the phono stage. In fact the phono now sounds great.
mlkiz
33 posts
 
I sent my deposit on for the Syrah in early January. I've written to Mick a few times in the past 3 months and alhtough his e-mails are pleasant, there always seems to be one reason or another why the unit (now the Chenin) isn't ready. Last week, he said he was waiting for cases to come in last Monday. When I first contacted him in December, I think he said it would only be 3 week wait, but I took that with a grain of salt. Is he reliable? I'd hate to push him to get the product and then find that I have problems if something needs repair. I'm starting to think about asking for my deposit back.
mlkiz
33 posts
 
I just received my Chenin and noticed that the manual says that that moving magnet cartridges are not recommended. I have a Clearaudio mm cartridge that I like. It has a 3.5 volt output. Does anyone use their Chenin with a mm cartridge?
mlkiz
33 posts
 
I've been listening intensely for a day now to the Chenin and notice that while there doesn't seem to be any problem with gain for my Clearaudio mm cartridge with 3.5 v gain (I'm not even lowering the gain setting in the back), my records sound restricted at the top end. I can barely hear the cymbals and something subtle seems to be missing even from female vocals. The bass does sound great though. I don't seem to have this problem with cds. Has anyone ever encountered this? Any suggestions?
mlkiz
33 posts
 
Thanks for your comments. I'm glad that I'm not the only one to ever have experienced this. At Mick's suggestion, I am changing to a moving coil Denon DL 103 cartridge. But are you saying that I need to change the rectifier too? Why is that and what should I change it to? By the way, my fuses keep blowing too, but at Mick's suggestion, I'm going to install a 5 amp slow blow fuse instead of the smaller one that comes with the unit.
mlkiz
33 posts
 
Has anyone elase ever had any problems with the fuse on the Chanin or Syrah?
mlkiz
33 posts
 
I have had my Syrah for almost two years now and have had no problems with it except for an intial problem with the fuse in the power supply. Mick told me to get a larger fuse and that solved the problem You also need to get a moving coil cartridge. My moving magnet sounded unlistenable with it. Mick recommended the Denon DL 103 for $200.00 and it sounds unbelievably good.
mlkiz
33 posts
 
I've had my Chenin for about two years and have enjoyed it. Unfortunately, about two weeks ago, I turned on the preamp and my solid state power amp at exactly the same time. The tube in the power supply seemed to get really bright like it was about to explode. I then turned off the unit. When I turned it back on all the tubes lit up, but no sound came out of my system. Mick told me to replace the tube, but that has not helped. Anyone else have any ideas as to how to fix?
More to discover