Bmotorcycle & Jewel hasan
I have joined your club...buying without auditioning. My 10 week wait started 3 days ago and I'm already edgy. 'Course I have prior credentials for joining....I bought some Von Schweikert gen III's without audtioning and waited 4.5 months for them. That deal turned out better than I had ever hoped. I'll be crossing my fingers on this one too. |
Question. What is your opinion on asking Mick to make the CD in an XLR configuration instead of RCA's? Would it make any sonic difference? Would it be more trouble than it is worth? Am I just being rockheaded again?
Patrick |
Thanks for the response Bwhite. I am fairly new in this forum and easily confused despite having read about a million posts."If the signal is truly balanced, the Supratek cannot handle it..." Are you saying my cdp won't connect in the good old fashioned left-to-left right-to-right rca connection? |
Well that's good news. My deposit was 3 days before Jewels-March 26th-and 5 or 6 weeks from May 4th puts it in the 10 to 11 week range for total wait. That's what Mick told me when I ordered. I was afraid the wait might get ridiculous. It does seem like I ordered it a million years ago.
Patrick |
Fiddler,
If you ordered in the middle of February, you are now at about 15 weeks. Could you let us know when you receive it? I'm getting nervous and itchy about it.
Thanks,
Patrick |
I check this thread almost everyday to see if Fiddler got his yet since ordered about 5 weeks before I did. The fact that he has not disturbs me. On 6/5 I received a email response from Mick saying it would be another 2 or 3 weeks which would put my total wait at about 13 weeks. Fiddler has been waiting longer than that now.
Patrick |
Another week gone by and no word from Mick. No word from Fiddler. Patience, patience.
I did see a guy over at AA just received his Cortese. I suppose that's a bit encouraging. |
I got the "2-3 weeks" email on the 6th. I am also feeling close-just ordered a new rack and a fancy-pants IC for its impending arrival. Now I'm looking for a PS Audio regenerator for it. Next I'm hanging balloons and putting up a "Welcome Syrah" banner behind the system.
Patrick |
Wsin,
thanks for the tip. I'll, of course, try it both ways.
Warren,
I really think it will have been worth the wait. Of course I want Mick to take all the time he neebs to do a fine job.
Cheers,
Patrick |
If anyone really can't wait, there is a used Cortese for sale here. $4500
Nope, it's not mine and I don't know the guy.
Patrick |
Rmml,
When did you order it? I'm feeling jealous. Any chance you live in Greater Washington, DC and I could come have a listen? Congrats!
Cheers,
Patrick |
Mmmmmm.....I ordered mine 3/26 (Syrah)with the only change being 1 set of xlr outs (even though it's not balanced) Maybe that means I am getting close. I haven't emailed Mick since 6/3. Course, Seattle is closer to AUS than DC is so mines probably in the mail. Well, at least it gives me time to break in my new Mephisto so I'm not breaking in 2 components at the same time. I'll probably have a trace of regret when I finally get it because I'm going to miss looking forward to getting it. If that makes any sense. |
Waltersalas,
Here is a link to a webpage that lists links to oh, 50 or more tube sellers around the world. I've only been to maybe 10 of them and have been unable to find the Ken Rads.
Good Luck,
Patrick
http://www.worldtubeaudio.com/directory/categories/kategorie_11.htm |
There is a Chardonnay here for sale. Only 2 weeks old. Is that even enough time to let it settle in?
p.s. It's not mine and I don't know the gentleman.
Patrick |
Congrats Jewel. I must be getting close as I ordered mine a bit before you and 1 other person who got theirs. But I ordered the Syrah. Seems like Mick makes a batch of each at a time. Let us know how you like it next month. Also be curious to know what tubes you get.
Regards,
Patrick |
Got a note the other day from Mick. He has been experimenting with different caps and believes Auricaps provide a nice improvement. He said he could ship it last Monday or if I could wait til this weekend, he will have received an OEM quantity of Auricaps and could ship it then. Mmmmmm...decisions...are you kidding me? Been waiting since the end of March-another week for improved caps is a no-brainer.
I think it's great that, as busy as he must be, Mick is still looking to improve on this pre. So take heart those that have ordered relatively recently, by the time he makes yours, he may have come up with additional improvements.
I just hope I haven't built my expectations too high. My current pre, an Adcom GTP 500 II that is at least 15 years old, is definitly my systems weakest link.
Regards,
Patrick |
Betcha,
I use the Syrah with a class D Spectron Musician II. While not SS, it is high powered-rated at 600w/channel into my 6-ohm speakers. (500 into 8-ohm) I do like the sound of SS or Class D into a tubed pre, but 1) Since I own this combo, what else would I say? and 2)I have never heard an all tube set-up so what the heck would I know anyway?
I really need some local audio nuts...sigh.
Regards,
Patrick |
Asa,
I have read many, many posts regarding the subject of your last post. I have not, however, ever read one as well written.
You don't happen to be the Asa that writes for Playboy do you?
Regards,
Patrick |
Hi Guys,
Just thought I post a quick note-I have, at last, received a large box from Australia. I just finished redoing my Sistrum rack and have put in the Syrah. I popped in some Eva Cassidy and have been listening about 10 minutes. I will post my impressions later. But I think this is the real deal.
I feel like a kid on Christmas morning.
Regards,
Patrick |
Outlier,
Congrats! It ships really fast considering the distance. I know what you mean about no more anticipation. Waiting for my Syrah was always somewhere on my mind. Don't worry, now all you will think about is getting home from work so you can listen to your 'new' music system.
Ever have so many people tell you how great a movie is that you work your expectations really high then when you see it, it can't possibly live up to all you thought it would be and you are somewhat dissapointed? Well, that's definitely not the case with the Supratek. It really all it's cracked up to be. The Real Deal. I started listening and it was a revelation...I kept mumbling to myself.."I never knew music could sound like this..." I suppose I have heard most adjectives to describe music reproduction and understand most of them, at least on an intellectual level. I now know I never knew what 'inner detail' and 'micro-dynamics' really are. Until now. It has vastly improved my entire system. I really have much more appreciation for the importance of a good preamp.
I think it's important to get some good tubes also. I got several and am working my way through them.
Enjoy,
Patrick |
Dennis,
I have been following this thread for 6 months and in that time I have seen 1 Syrah and 1 Cortese for sale. Neither were discounted from full price and both sold quickly.
I know I wouldn't sell mine, even at a tidy profit, and suspect most owners feel the same.
Regards,
Patrick |
Okee Doke Dennis. If you change your mind, the offer is open.
Regards,
Patrick |
Tubegroover, you won't regret it. If it were double the price I would do it again.
Somebody posted in the wanted section (no screen names allowed) that they wanted to buy a Supratek. It was posted from Washington, DC. If that person is reading this thread thought I would let you know I live in Northern Virginia and although there's no chance I'm selling, you are welcome to stop by and have a listen. Email me.
Regards,
Patrick
p.s. tube rolling experience is welcome over at the Yahoo group Fiddler started for Supratek owners. Scroll up for the link. |
T-bone,
It is a smooth turning volume control. They are all parafeed now. |
I also had my Syrah plugged into a PS300. It improved detail but I thought it restricted the overall sound, like something was holding the music back. I got an Audio Magic Stealth and am very happy with it. Sound is more extended both up and down and wonderfully musical. YMMV. |
Slowhand,
I have the Syrah with the adjustable gain. I use it at max gain 98% of the time as this is the mode that sounds best to me. I occassionally turn it down a notch or 2 on cd's that are poorly recorded as it seems to reduce hash and glare. I have found that turning down the gain then increasing the volume to compensate does indeed make the sound suffer. |
Well, I've had mine and still am in love with it. After my speakers, it is my most important piece.
I have not compared it to other pre's in it's price class or higher. I completely believe people who say the Audio Note has even more to offer but it's out of my price range.
Theresa-I only play CD's right now but I got the Syrah so I would have the option to try out vinyl after I restocked the music fund. The extra $400 is less than a good phono stage in the future.
Alot has been written about the glories of the KenRad black glass tubes in the Supratek. I have a good pair and agree with almost everything that has been said of them. However, in my system they are only second best. For me and my ears, my Pearl Cryoed Brimar CV/1988 are best. More top extension, as good or better lows, set a blacker background, and have crystal-clear detail without losing musicality. I have a NOS pair on the way that are not cyroed. I can't wait to hear if I can tell the difference.
BTW, I saw a very nice pair of the KenRads go for a whopping $260 on ebay the other day. Holy Mackeral. Wish I had put the 401(k) all into KR BG about 3 years ago.
Regards,
Patrick |
