Preamp Deal of the Century

Thank you very much for the rapid answer. Pablo.

It took me only five minutes to follow the advice of TWL on buying a Chenin, but more than a month to read this wonderful thread! Thank you very much Slowhand, Ecclectique, Amandarae, Bwhite, Jpms, Cello, Streven1960, Jazzdude, Tubegroover, Asa, Fiddler, and the rest of the Supratek gang for all the information about this wonderful preamplifier. After a month in my system, I concur that this is a very special piece of equipment. Following TWL’s advice I’ve assembled in the last couple of years a SET/Lowther based rig and I listen mostly to jazz music. I am using right now a Linn Sondek/Ekos/Goldring Elite and Electrocompaniet EMC 1 UP front end, a Supratek Chenin pre, Wright Sound 3.5, Bottlehead Parabee 300b and Electrocompaniet AW 220 amplifiers (a long story behind this combination ), and Lowther EX 4 in a Voigt Pipe enclosure and Silverline Sonatas as speakers (the second installment of the previous long story ). A REL Stadium II is the subwoofer. Cables are all Electraglides (Silver Reference and Speakerglides). The best sound I’ve ever had in my life! The Chenin replaced an aging Audible Illusions 3A and the difference is notorius. I’ve already replaced the stock 6SN7 with a pair of Ken Rad Black Glass 6SN7, the rectifier with an RCA 5V4, the stock 5881 with a pair of Tung Sol 5881 and the 6922 with a pair of Amperex 6922 White label. After finishing reading the entire thread last night, I will buy the already famous Sylvanias 6F6G and either the Mullard GZ34 or the Philips Miniwatts. Any idea where to look at for those two tubes? Thank you very much one more time, and happy new year. Pablo.

A little anecdote to back up Cello’s point about Mick’s caring and honesty. Mick agreed with my decision to buy a Denon 103R to replace my MM cartridge in order to use the phono section of the Chenin. The Denon didn’t fit my Linn Ekos. Mick bought my Denon at the price I paid for it. Do you need anything else to have a picture of the guy? Regards, Pablo.

Hi:

I am also interested in a pair of 6F6s. Also, I have noticed that your are selling your Syrah. Any other tube you are looking to sell as well (6SN7s, 5AR4s)? I have a Chenin. Thank you very much for your time. Pablo.

I also have had very good communication and advice from both, Mick and Thom. Mick solved a minor problem with my Chenin over the internet with my technician in a couple of days, and Thom helped me with a problem with my Micro Seiki 505 even though I didn't buy a turntable from him. Impressive.
I've changed most of my system since my last post, but the Supratek! The Linn is gone and it has been replaced by a Teres 255/Micro Seiki 505/Zyx Airy 3. The Silverline Sonatas have been replaced by a pair of Coincident Total Victory. I have kept the Lamhorn/Lowther EX-4, the Wright Sound 3.5 and I bought a pair of Golden Tube 300B SE monoblocks.
If the KT-88 will sound like a SE amp, I would consider them! Best regards, Pablo.

Hi Amandarae:

Where do you buy the Sovteks? I am using the Sylvanias 6F6G and I want to try the Sovteks.

Hi Slowhand:

Did Mick tell you how he came up with that name for the KT-88? Nice name!

I ordered a pair of Malbecs last week of October. Pablo.

Hi:

I have a question about 6922s. I was using Amperex White Label USA made in the phono section with good results, but one tube is now gone for good. What is the experience of those using the Chenin regarding the 6922 tube? Mick shipped my Chenin with a pair of Phillips, but I immediately replaced them with the Amperex. Any help will be greately appreciated. I am still waiting for my Malbecs. Pablo.

Thank you very much Ikkyu2 for the information. I already bought a pair of the Russian tubes and I am testing them right now. Still waiting for my Malbecs. Pablo.

Kgturner:

I am glad you are enjoying the Malbecs. I am still waiting for mines. I have a question for you: what happened with the buzzing you were experiencing when you got the Malbecs? Thanks, Pablo.

I use a Chenin with the Lamhorn 1.8/Lowther EX4 (101 db. No problem at all! Pablo.

Hi Slowhand.
The Malbecs are going to replace either a pair of highly modified Golden Tube 300b Monoblocks or a Wright Sound 3.5. Let's see. The rest of the system:

Teres 265/Triplanar Ultimate/Zyx Airy 3
APL 3910 Universal Player
Supratek Chenin
Coincident Total Victory
Lamhorn 1.8/Lowther EX 4
REL Stadium II

In all probability the Malbecs will replace the Golden Tubes, but I want to try them against the Wright Sound/Lamhorn 1.8/Lowther EX 4 to see what happens.
I'll keep you posted. I really don't know why we are not getting people's impressions about their Malbecs yet. Pablo.

I know what you are talking about! It's an unbelievable cartridge, combining the two things most audiophiles really like and are so difficult to combine: detail and musicality. Pablo.

Mick told me that my Malbecs are ready to ship. I ordered them in October. As soon as I have them and a chance to listen to them I'll post my initial impressions. They are good candidates to replace my highly modified Golden Tube 300b Mk I, but let's my ears to decide. Pablo.

Thank you Stiltskin for the clarification. English not being my first language (not even my second!), prepositions still evade me. Pablo.

I got my Malbecs a couple of weeks ago. I was not able to do any serious listening yet, only breaking them up (is that the expression we use?). I'll be able to report on their sound in a week or so. Pablo.

First impressions on my Malbecs. They make my Coincident Total Victory speakers sing! They never sounded as good before. Very well controlled bass, excellent mid and high frequencies. No problem of hum or any kind of noise at all. They definetively will replace my very well regarded Golden Tube 300b MK I. Pablo.

Hi Houstonreef. The Coincidents are 96db. Mick modified the Malbecs to work with my high efficiency speakers. As usual, first class service. Pablo.

Hi:

I've been using my Malbecs (modified for high sensitivity speakers by Mick himself) without any problems for almost four months now. I have two set of speakers: Lamhorn 1.8/Lowther EX-4 (101 db) and Coincident Total Victory (96 db) and I cannot hear any hum or buzz or anything, only plain, great musicality emanating from them. The Malbecs have replaced my highly modified Golden Tube 300b Mk. I (a la Arthur Salvatore) and the difference was notorious. Pablo.

I didn't look for the thread for a while and I was saddly surprised by Mick's decision. As a proud owner of a Chenin and a pair of Malbecs I want to thank Mike for many hours of pure pleasure and wish him the best of luck on his new endeavor. Mike: you should try to grow some Malbec down there! It's a wonderful grape. Best, Pablo.

I didn't follow the thread since December (a busy year...) and I am surprised about the comments on Mick's support of his loyal customers. I own a Chenin since 2005 and a pair of Malbecs since 2007. I had a small problem with the Chenin that Mick solved in a day with my audio engineer here in Philly. That was fast! I didn't have any problem with my Malbecs. I am still in contact with Mick, but regarding our other shared interest: good wine! I was the person that suggested the name "Malbec" for these amps, because malbec is the best wine that my native country, Argentina, produces. I ask him, now and then, about audio stuff and he always answers it promtly. I love my Suprateks and I am constantly comparing them with good pres and amps and they still are in my system. Next week I'll get an Allnic H 1500 and I compare it with the Chenin. Let's see what happens! Pablo.