Preamp Deal of the Century

Actually I have bought mine first Chenin in 2005. And in just matter of days I expect Mick sending me Cortese.

Have anybody tried SARAH with PASS Labs X250 or another SS amp?
How it worked ?

But please notice that they are selling it almost in full retail price!! So what is a deal in buying it (besides that you do not have to wait).

What about warranty if you buy second hand, is it transferable? I'm going to join club of happy Supratek owners somewhere in the future. So I really appreciate this thread.

Supratek experts, what is minimum recommended input impedance of SS power amp which would be good match with SARAH ?

of Supratek thread length..

When I have first discover this threat it was already about 20 posts long, I got really intrigued, but thought it is to beautiful to be true. About 60th post I first time have written to Mike. He is matter-of-fact guy. It took me another 300 convincing posts to put Supratek in my audio plans. About 800 I made purchase decision and started discussing detail with Mike. After 1000th post put my deposit for fully loaded Sarah. I have filling that it is going to be my first audio product I have never listen to, bought under the influence of fellow audiophiles, and I'm not going to be sorry like so far I have always been. I have never had anything tubed, but on HT 2001 in NY I got enlighten to my avail that SS is not the best sound forever.
It would be interesting how many peoples bought Supratek outside of this very influential thread!
What PC cord would have the best quality for buck ratio. I would not like to spend a lot of money on PC.

Thank you for your responses I sent downpayment on 9th of March, but my Supratek was very custom one. So I will have to contact Mike and ask at source. :)

Saint,
How long have you been waiting?
I have sent my downpayment on the beginning of March.

I understand it that it is one man factory, and it is taking time to do such a statement product, I understand that it is taking half year to finally get one. What I do not understand and cannot comprehend why when I asked him in March (I told him that I’m not in any harry and he can take his time) he said that I will have it in 6 weeks! Why he just could not say it would take 6 months ? I do not know like you, but I prefer painful truth them pleasant promises he knew cannot meet. I asked him again I was told that soon. Does anybody knows what soon in Australia means ?
Instead this nice soon I would really prefer 3 months answer, and 3 months would mean 3 months exactly and not even one day more!!!

First, I could not lead Mike up the garden path, so I will wait for my Sarah|Chenin even 7 months like Tubegroover suggested! I have got this custom to treat people very seriously and world I have said to them even more seriously.
But I cannot promise that I will not lose patients and will not send a email to Mike in September (I decided to wait that long for "soon" to materialize).
Bad thing about this waiting is that the longer I wait the higher are my expectations. And that is do not augur well for Chenin, unless it is that good like you guys are saying...

I was biding on them too :(, let me know if it was worth (if they are better them typically recommended repleacement Tung Sol 5881)

I only hope I will not bore you guys to death, but here it goes.
Long time ago while living in Poland I used to have ProAc Studio 100 with Electrocompaniet ECI-2 and Arcam 6 player. I know nothing fancy, but sound for me was excellent, bass was not low but was fast tuneful, I had fast transients, nice micro and macro dynamic. Music simply was alive. I have moved to „apartments” north from Phila (I still did not figured out why they are called this way, apartment in Europe means luxury flat not lousy barn from paper..., how true apartments are called – super apartments squared ?). Now I could afford bigger stereo so I have bought Thiel 3.6 and MF A300 (I’m using the some player). I was expecting better sound. But it was not the case, voices were dead, transients from big Thiels was nonexistent, dynamic in micro and macro scale was nonexistent. How so big speakers could sound so anemic, lifeless ? I just could not understand it because I had audition small Thiels 0,5 while in Poland and they sounded really good to me, they was to expensive to me though ($2000), I have bought Thiel 3.6 for $1800 here :) (Wadia cost 13k$ in Poland and there is no second market for it, AudioAreo Capitole new cost about 7k$). So problem must be somewhere else. After a while I have figure out that paper walls and power mains and L shaped living room with kitchen are to blame. So I figured out I will have to recompense it by buying much better equipment. I changed source from SACD SONY (9000ES) what a downgrade it was - wrong path – think again - this time harder. Next I tried to replace MF A300, so I bought Clayton M100. A little better, stronger bass more liquid sound but still not there. And there is „deal of the century thread”. I did not believed that preamp would matter that much, but it was my last resort, what I got to lose (nothing - no maybe 3k$). After half year of waiting I got it. I was afraid to turn it on to not to be disappointed again. But I have gather my courage and:
first impression with stock tubes was very very positive, I finally disconnected my MF A300 (was using it as pre with Clayton), there was music again, nice rich vocals, liquid sound, even stronger bass, but the most important - sound was alive again like it was years ago. I was really moved. Even BMG CD’s are now listenable. So even lousy power mains in my „apartment” (when my wife is ironing bulbs are blinking like Christmas tree) were not able to kill Supratek spirit that good it is. How preamp could make such difference (cdp, power amp could not do it) I do not know. I just cannot imagine and wait when some day I will be back to my 1.5 feet wide brick walls in Poland and will connect it to decent power mines. It could be really something. But for know this is my first not SS component. I’m trying to improve it by tubes rolling. So far I have changed to Ken Rod Black Glass VT231 and Philips Miniwatt, there is a difference vs. stock tubes but it is really small, maybe will be bigger after cdp upgrade, and I’m sure will be huge after barn to true apartment upgrade :) so there is a lot for me to look forward.

Have somebody tried Supratek with Manley NeoClassic 250 ?
Would it sound better (more dynamic, open, tuneful) them with Cary 805c ?

Ecclectique,
You have said that Cary 805c and Supartek are "is a marriage made in heaven". But there is one problem for me, Cary is only 50W, and in the future I'm going to have big room (>400sq feet) and I like listen to big orchestras on decent level. My speakers are power hungry inefficient Thiels 3.6. I'm afraid that even strong tube watts in amount of 50 will not suffice. And I have heard Manley a few times I only so far have liked better them Manley expensive behind my reach electronics (like VAC or LAMM). And it is 250W at the some price, yes I know it is not SET but some people claims that for big music SET is not the best choice ...
What do you think ?

Merry Christmas and all the best in 2005 to you too.
I have just added my first serious speaker cable, and Supratek sounds even better:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?fcabl&1103640692&read&3&4&

I have in my Chenin Philips M8081 tube (in manual there is 6J6 different tube).
Does anybody have found better replacement for M8081 ?

Stevem1960,
I remember having in the past small ProAc speaker and remember having incredibly alive sound. What ProAc speaker did you have and what power amp was used ?
I have Chenin+Clayton M100.

Ecclectique,
Are vishay better them Dact cp1[cp2] ?

I have question to Chenin owners regarding phono input.
When I switch input selector to phono, there is very loud tape hiss through speakers.
Is it normal ? Or my Chenin is broken ?
I do not have LP right now, but will in the future.
How can one use lp with such loud tape hiss.
It is pretty loud in 9 o'clock position.

Gain switch is set to second to max.
>Is the cart you are using of relatively high output (say- above .9mV or more)?

Changing cartridge load switch make tape hiss to disappear.
But on max 47k I believe tape hiss is really loud.

I do not have lp yet so I do not have any cartridge.
Just switching to phone is giving me loud tape hiss what worries me.
On line level inputs Chenin is quiet .
> Maybe something to do with ground?
I tried to ground it but it has given me additional loud hum.

I did test with IC's to no avail.
There is hum too.
I can hear my power supply hum (not that loud), but Clayton monoblocks (they have 1kV transformers) are dead quiet.
So I understand that somebody with quiet Chenin phono, after disconnecting LP from it will have a lot of tape hiss noise, like me ? Is that right ?

it's a weight load off my mind ..
thanks

In my Chenin he put double voltage switch for free !

I have Chenin, and for fun I have been rolling tubes.
I have noticed that the biggest overall difference in sound makes replacing stock 6sn7.

According to tubeworld the best 6sn7 is Mullard ECC33 military version (CV2821)
https://www.tubeworld.com/6sn7.htm
I have been looking for it for a long time.
Somebody on ebay from England is selling pair.
http://cgi.ebay.com/CV2821-ECC33-MULLARD-TUBE-VALVE-NEW-1-PC_W0QQitemZ9714276908QQcategoryZ39997QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I bought one pair form him. It was not microphonic, the biggest problem with Supratek.
If it is the best I do not know, because since I have moved to new place (small room, with crannies, scene collapsed, bass if uncontrolled).
But at previous place stock tubes sounded really bad in comparison to KenRad, Sylvania.
Someday I will move to golden room and I will appreciate it (at least I’m hoping for it).

If somebody would decide to try it (and have sound transparent room), please let me know if you could hear the difference and if it was worth the asking price.

Hello,
I have carried out interesting test:

I have connected with Cardas Golden reference XLR cable my Clayton M100 monoblocks and AudioAreo Capitole MKII CD and listen for a while. Pretty lifeless no glitter at all.

Less audio gear in the chain should be better is it not!

Later I have connected Clayton and AA Cap with Silversmith Silver and Audiomagic Excalibur II RCA cables to Supratek Chenin.

What a difference better dynamic better harmonics, music was back.



I did such test 2 years ago with stock tubes and outcome was not that clear.

But know with NOS tubes there is huge difference even in my very bad room.

regards
Slawomir

in what position of gain switches you preamp sounded softer ?

Thank you for answer, I was asking in what position (high gain or low gain) Supratek is sounding softer ?
I have not noticed such difference so I'm curious.

Cello,

Are you using Symposium Rollerblocks under Supratek main unit or under both (main unit and power supply) ?
Are you placing balls directly under Supratek rubber feet ?

Regards

Hello,
Are you using only umbilical cord from Revelation Audio Lab ? Or umbilical cord together with power cable from RAL ?
What gives better improvement umbilical cord or power cord ?
What power cable gives best quality price ratio with Chenin I have.

I have Chenin. My came with Mullard M8081 tube. I cannot get this tube anywhere. I have asked Mike, he told me to use 6J6. I have tried CBS 6J6 (1959). What a difference, unfortunately for worse. So went back to M8081. So what are valid; possibly better-equal replacement for Mullard M8081 (6J6).
When one buys tubes for Supratek (except 6L6) all are double triodes, and Mike said that Supratek uses both sections.
Is it possible to buy matched pair with all four section matched ?

I have ordered umbilical cord from Brad on 02/01/2007, every week he is promising to ship it next week. I really hope that this is not a scam. After one month he stopped answering my emails. I called him, he is just about to send it (for the forth time). What would not just he say that there is a 2 month backorder ? Why do some people do not have any regards to what they are saying? No self respect whatsoever....

Thanks,
I will have to check how many of them (yellow 1uf/450V)are there.
I agree that Supratek sound really good from the start, but I'm hoping that with some "help" it can be that good like Lamm or VAC :)
What changed in Suratek sound with balanced power what you did not like ?

I had the some problem hum in right channel. Changed tubes, moved speakers, always in right channel. I did not have that problem in previous apartment, Supratek was dead quiet. But since I have moved, hum is constant.
It is mains, power cables related. Recently I have bought umbilical cord from Brat. I was really angry that it took him so long. But to be honest hum is gone first in 2 years. I still cannot believe it. Neither power cables not interconnects did that much of a difference for me. Dynamic is better, micro dynamic is better too. I doubt that in previous place they would be such a difference but for peoples with hum problem it is a great buy.

I was trying to audition H-Cat wrote a few times to designer, he never bother to respond.

Does anybody have any experience with SOLEN METALLIZED TEFLON ™ FEP SUPERSOUND or SOLEN TEFLON ™ FEP FILM + TIN FOIL can be known as SCR FEP Supersound too.
They are third of the price of V-Cap. Any experience ?
Are they any good ?

Interesting is my Chenin #250 does not have 1uF caps, instead I have Quricap 0.56uF.
Does anybody know that brand ? Are they good ?

Fiddler,
Great post, thank for sharing with us.
I have Chenin, after opening I have found 10 big white caps (they are glued to walls). Are you talking about them ? As I understand you have replaced only 2 of them ?
Which ones ?

Could you provide me with exact resistance of DACT (type, A or C) ?

What have given you more benefit replacing caps or Alphs pot ?

Has any owner any experience with balanced power ?
Is it beneficial with Supratek ?

Fiddler,
Thank for detailed description, you really get me going,
I like musical liquid sound of Supratek but I really would love to have more resolution, I had heard on CES or HE from more expensive tube preamps (which I cannot afford). I was planning to invest money in Balanced power but now I decided to try DACT and V-Caps instead. It is interesting though how can stupid cap have so much influence on the sound...
I will have to take close-up picture of my Chenin and ask Mike M. which cap to replace (to be 100% sure).
Can you tell me exact parameters of DACT you have installed ?

Hello,
It is Quricap 0.56uF (this Q could be fancy A) (yes they are output caps), there are not other output caps.
It is interesting that he has changed value from 0.56uF (#250) to 1uf (#238). Does anybody with serial below #250 have 1uF ?

That is him my quricap your auricap :)
I'm still waiting for answer from Mike.
Regards

I did not look into this thread for a while and what a unpleasant surprise.
Suratek is out of the bussiness. That very sad news.
I was kind of hoping to read the great posts about Supratek MONDEUSE... Does anybody got it, any listening impressions ?

Have anybody ever compared Mendouse and Burgundy, I had Chenin for 5 years (great preamp) and have recently ordered from Mick new improved Cortese mkII.
Thinking about Supratek power amp, but information is scarce.
Right now I have Clayton M100 monoblocks.

I decided to upgrade my old Chenin to new Cortese, lets call it SE, have contacted Mick. He redesigned all his preamps in 2010 and claimed that new designs have even better transparency and music involvement. It was to be 4 months waiting period, so I have signed up. Unfortunately, for some reasons I have got Cortese SE after 10 long months and countless reminders, there was a time that I did not believe anymore that I will ever going to see it. To give justice to Mick at the end he has given me 10% discount to reimburse me for long and frustrating waiting. In that time I went from my CDP Audio Aero Capitole mkII directly to Claytons monoblocks (using Thiel 3.6), very transparent sound with big soundstage, great resolution, I only wished for more harmonics in the mids and more dynamics. But finally Cortese SE arrived After 2 weeks of burning time I have given it a try (with stock tubes): big bass, very flat soundstage, a lot of slam.
This is not what I was hoping for, I have given it 2 more weeks of burn in time, nothing changed. So I have exchanged stock Russian unnamed 6l6 tubes with EH cryoed 6l6 and some cheap unnamed Russian rectifier with black base Phillips Miniwatt gz34. Pretty serious change: much deeper soundstage, bass lost its exaggerated bloom, better transparency, but still no a transparency which I have got when I was going direct. I was less disappointed but still not thrilled. So when after 2 weeks of burning time and not much of a change I swapped Philips black base gz34 with cryoed Bendix 6106. O my .. this was not a change it was different preamp altogether.
Preamp from different league I must add. Finally sound was not dark anymore like with Philips it lost bass bloom completely and finally has opened up. Resolution was pornographic for the lack of better word, transparency simply spooky. Much better then going direct, I do not know how it is possible but it is the case. I remember Chenin sounding slightly better with Bendix then with Philips but difference was subtle, not anymore. New Cortese should be sold with Bendix, without it IMHO, it simple does not sing. I have borrowed from friend two runs of Tara Zero Gold and Omega speaker cable (to be sure that I’m not limiting it anyway), simply unbelievable resolution and transparency (actually I have heard better one only from Jadis). What is interesting with Chenin my cheap turntable Realistic Lab 420 with Empire 9 cartridge was much better sounding then my AA Cap. Now gap is closed, I do not really hear my entry level turntable sounding any better. CDP now sounds really alive, new line stage is really something, real world contender. To hit audiogazm I need more harmonics in the mids and more slam, more PRAT, but I have not changed driver tubes yet, still using stock Russian Tung-Sol provided by Mick.
I will keep you posted.
I still cannot neither believe nor understand how stupid rectifier can have such profound effect on sound, but with Cortese case it does.

They are not fighting because they do not know it, no professional reviews, no ads. Mick tried to convince me to buy Chenin mkII (the some schematics), nearly the some sonics.