Good. Very happy for you guys.
I went out on a limb and wrote a glowing review on the Supratek (never published by UA) a couple years back when there were only a few units in the country and have been very supportive in encouraging others to buy it, so, more than usual, I watch to see if people are hearing what I did and are happy. If not, then I want to hear that too.
Yes, its a no brainer...and, good point about the NOS tubes: without them I also hear it as subtlely, um, too clear, or, perhaps, a tendancy towards that with the wrong matched IC's, and particularly wrong IC's on all digital systems. Something to keep in mind if it sounds a bit "lean" in harmonics... |
Well Asa, I wish I could just comment further on my impressions of this pre-amp after an almost 7 month wait but I'll just have to wait a bit longer to offer my imput. My last post sums up where I am right now as I wait for replacement tubes, it is quite frustrating. |
Any comments on which IC's work well (or poorly) with the Syrah or Cortese? Or is that determined by the TT or amps more than the preamp? |
As a general rule, I would stay away from IC's like Nordost. Or, put another way, cables that tend to reduce spatial qualities relative to the source, and particularly those that advance a detailed orientation to ones that are more balanced and holistically natural. System synergy is always a consideration, but I think these general rules would still apply to the Syrah. I use NBS Pro series I RCA IC between pre and AirTight amp and an Audionote Kondo Az series IC from CD to pre. This does not mean you should veer all the way towrds Cardas Cross, just that "accuracy school" IC's should be avoided. I don't have the experience with some of the newer IC's that many here do - Virtual Dynamics, Sakura OTA, etc. - but I would guess that a Purist Proteus Rev B might sound pretty nice too (caveat: some good ears here hyave said that the new lower priced Purists compete with the Proteus line quite well). So, maybe others could chime in (I'm also still waiting for that PC advice...) |
Hello all. My Syrah will arrive in a week or two (ordered 6 months age, I don't mind the wait). First tubed component for me, very excited. Also I'm currently listening to two channel music (what I prefer) through an HT processor so the change should be phenomenal. Now comes the education into tubes. I found a place where I can buy KenRads at $125/pair and Sylvania 6SN7 metal base for $250/pair. Are these prices in the ballpark? I have no idea. This is more $ than I expected to be paying for NOS tubes. I assume NOS tubes are not in production anymore; what do when they are all gone? :)
My major confusion at this point is what about the rating letters after the 6SN7. Like GT, GTA, GTB, or WGT. How do I know which I should use? Do tubes like Tung-Sol VT-231 or RCA VT-231 also come with these letters on them? BTW, all these designations I’m using in this post I’m getting from a website as I write this; they mean nothing to me at this point, its like a new language I’m learning. When my pre arrives, will the stock tubes have one of those designations, and all I need do is make sure that’s on the NOS tubes I buy? I read on a tube seller’s site that these designations refer to a tube’s voltage and plate dissipation ratings, and to ensure good tube reliability you should probably run a tube at 70% or less of its maximum plate dissipation. Wow, this tube rolling is technical! :)
So anyone willing to help me out, maybe suggest the complete tube designation I would buy in a Tung-Sol Round Plate (VT-231 or 6NS7), RCA VT-231 black plate, Sylvania 6SN7 black plate, and Sylvania VT-231 black plate. In other words, do I need to buy a Sylvania 6SN7W black plate, not a 6SN7WGT black plate?
Also, anyone willing to share where they buy NOS tubes? Maybe those are well-guarded secrets since good prices on NOS tubes are hard to find? |
Jeff,
here are a couple places for tubes:
http://www.upscaleaudio.com
http://www.thetubestore.com
http://www.vacuumtubes.com
I'm sure there are many more - Kevin at upscale audio is very helpful, I've also bought tubes from thetubestore.
Would like to hear about your preamp! |
Most tubephiles will agree that the 6SN7GT and VT-231 sound much better than everything else. At least initially I would just pick up a pair of Ken Rad VT-231 black-glass and a pair of Sylvania VT-231. The Sylvania VT-231 usually goes for about $40-50/pr used in good condition and $70-80 NOS on eBay. Ken Rad VT-231's usually go for about an additional $20/pr on top of the Sylvania prices. There are very few actual NOS tubes sold on eBay regardless of the claims. However I wouldn't let that stop you. You can a get a couple of used pairs cheaply on eBay and once you determine your preference you can buy the bigbuck NOS tubes from a more reputable tube dealer.
I have a Cortese so the Syrah maybe different. Anyhow, Mick told me that in the Cortese the rectifier is set to output 370 volts. The voltage-regulator tubes burn 70 volts and the 6SN7's use the other 300 volts. Keep in mind that the 6SN7 is dual-triode rated at up to 300 volts/triode, so 600 volts/tube. 6L6G's and 5881's can handle 250-300 volts with ease. Mick runs the tubes very conservatively.
As far as power tubes. I think the ST shaped 6L6G's (Sylvania, RCA, Ken Rad, Tung-Sol, etc) are better than the Tung-Sol 5881'S and they are certainly less expensive. With rectifier tubes, I prefer the GZ33 over the GZ34. The GZ33 is less expensive, probably lasts longer, outputs more current, and sags less than the GZ34. I have noticed a slight voltage sag from my Cortese with the GZ34. It only occurs on complex musical passages while I am playing very loudly.
If you have questions about what tubes will work in the Syrah as far as tube substitution goes, I would email Mick "the Man" Maloney. He'll be glad to answer your questions and I am sure his answers are more accurate than mine. |
Thanks Tonnesen and Jazzdude. So one path would be to find some used tubes first to discover what I like, then buy new for greater cost. Does it look like the site I quoted prices from (www.tubeseller.com) is reasonable?
Any suggestions out there for a resource (website or book or maybe in your own words if it can be put into one paragraph)that would get me up to speed on "rectifer tubes", "power tubes", and any other types of tubes in the Syrah, and that would give me an understanding of Jazzdudes sentence "...rectifier is set to output 370 volts. The voltage-regulator tubes burn 70 volts etc." This stuff sounds interesting.
When you say most agree that the 6SN7GT and VT-231 sound much better than everything else, do both Sylvania and KenRad make a 6SN7GT and a VT-231?
I just finished sending Mick a message with some tube questions before reading your posts. He has been very willing to answer questions along the way, looking forward to what he has to say on these questions. |
6SN7GT and VT-231 from the same time period are the same tube. VT-231 is the military designation. You see it alot because from time-to-time the military auctions stuff in storage. If you are buying NOS/NIB 40's vintage 6SN7's it is probably easier to find VT-231's than it is to find 6SN7GT's.
IMO Brent Jesse has the most reasonable tube prices (with very good quality) of any online dealer. I have bought from Brent before and will do so again.
Bruce Wenger of BWS Consulting (search google) is probably the most service oriented dealer I know. He designs and mods tube gear and dacs but he also sells from his tube stash. Bruce always calls me a couple days after an order to make sure that I am pleased (no one else has ever done that) and if I bought two sets of tubes from him and found that I preferred one over the other he would let me trade in the less preferred set for something else (I've never taken him up on it though). If you buy something from Bruce you can be sure it is good. I told him once I wanted 4 pairs of NOS Sylvania VT-231 and he called me back later and said that he only had 3 NOS matched pairs that he could make and that any other matched pairs he had would be in used condition. Some other dealers would have been tempted to "MAKE" a pair just to get that extra sale, but not Bruce. Bruce's prices are not cheap, they are roughly on par with Bob Malecki of tubeseller.com.
I've bought from Bob before also and will do so again but he never has Sylvania VT-231's. Also Bob Malecki only has 6SN7's for sale, so no matter how much you like him you will have to go somewhere else for you power tubes and rectifiers. |
Tonnesen, do not hesitate to try the cables that Mick recommends, The Music Cables (www.the-music-cables.com). I am now using them in my entire system with great pleasure. Very neutral and QUIET! They are relatively inexpensive, as cabling goes these days and you have a money back guaranted. |
Mike, back on 9-29-02 Bwhite indicated the TMC cables are so stiff as to make them difficult to deal with. Do you find them to be stiff but managable? |
wow...461 posts...is this a record? Hell, makes me want to buy a vinyl for the first time in 20+ years just to....belong. |
I don't have any vinyl. I have Cortese. Heck, we don't care what you got anyway. It's where your interest lie that matters. |
Jeff ss & Mike - yep. I used the TMC cables and found them to be "okay" sounding. Of course I was comparing to Audio Note and NBS which wasn't exactly fair. Having tried many cables, I'd have to put the TMC in the same league as most lower end audio cables. In my system at least, these are not giant killers. For 60 bucks a pair used, they are certainly worth trying though - if you're curious.
A bit of advice, If you buy the TMC's from the factory, see if you can get upgraded connectors. The standard locking RCA's are a pain to use and tarnish rapidly. Mine turned from gold to black in about two weeks. Also, the stiffness of the cables makes them difficult to work with... if not bent, they can/will lift your supratek off the rack a bit so it only sits on three of the four feet. |
Would a Shelter 501 cartridge be a good match with the Syrah? I'm considering a Nottingham Spacedeck and Space Arm and have seen that cartridge used with that arm. Am I correct in jumping to the conclusion that this arm and cartridge work well together? Thanks for you help.
Jeff |
Timchen I have noted your distant but obvious interest in this pre-amp. You have certainly been keeping your eye on this thread. I'm going to give you my complete unbiased opinion based on a few hours of listening to the line stage.
The Sarah is at once dynamic, resolving, smooth, with great bass and just amazing immediacy. This is just an initial impression but will be lasting because it is immediately obvious how special it is, especially at the price point but not only because of that fact. The pre isn't even close to being broken in so these are early impressions compared to a CAT SL-1, older but with good tubes and a few modern upgrades. Yes the CAT is smoother now because it is settled in. But I sure can hear the intrinsic character of the Sarah and I know it is going to improve as it breaks in.
I initially felt the Supratek would have to be mighty good to replace the CAT in a manner that would not have me second guessing if I would make the right decision. The only reason I bought this pre was because of the accolades of experienced audiophiles and the price. After 10 minutes of listening to the Supratek, out of the box, new tubes, not even broken in I'll tell you, it will put a smile on your face, a no brainer, simple decision and validates once again my faith and belief in concensus among my fellow audiophiles.
I expect that some of the users that are selling are doing so for various reasons including finding something better. But I'll tell ya something Tim, if someone can direct me to a full function active pre-amp for anywhere close to 2.5K that has the extraordinary musicality and capability this pre does, I would be interested in hearing about it. Don't think twice Tim, unless you are prepared to spend at least twice as much or more. I truly don't believe you'll find it. |
thank you, Tubegroover. this is a very insightful and good
review. you can read my mind? I am looking for a good tube preamp for my symphonic Line poweramp, and dear fellow greg here suggests me that CAT match SL very well, and i just wonder will supratek match with my SL? thank you for your considerate. |
Jeff SS, I also have a Spacedeck and just ordered up a Shelter 501. I will be glad to let you know my impressions as soon as I get the cartridge, which will be paired with an Origin Live Silver arm. I am confident it will be a great match.
Good review, Tubegroover. I think that about sums it up. Believe it or not, the Syrah WILL get better as it breaks in, especially once you settle on your particular "flavor" in tubes.
I continue to be amazed and delighted by the difference it has made in my system.
|
Yes Tim, I would expect the Supratek will match up very well. It has plenty of gain that is also adjustable, very flexible and great fit and finish. At this level of performance both the CAT and Supratek are excellent pre-amps. I don't think you could make a bad choice with either. The differences may be more a matter of price, how much you are willing to pay and taste. The title of this thread is most appropriate. |
Yes Walter, I have no doubt about how good this pre-amp will get. And now for my search for the right tubes to get there. |
There has been some comments questioning the ability of a balanced SET configuration. I have one by Mick and this is how he refers to his implementation.
"Of course, strictly speaking, when you use the balanced outputs, it isn't SE, but it is the purest form of balancing you can get- it's often called SEPP (Single Ended Push Pull) although the use of the term push pull isn't
quite correct." |
Tubegroover, do not overlook the regulator tubes.
Yes, the Ken Rad VT231's and 52 Syl's are great, but NOS regulator tubes made more of a difference in the sound than the NOS 6SN7's in my Supratek.
There are a couple of others here who tried some NOS regulators based on my experienced and they were floored at the difference. |
Well guys, I have paired my Syrah with a Berning ZH270 amp and I have to tell you that this is a match made in heaven. I have had the Berning for about a month now and I absolutely hate to turn my system off! The Berning gives you the option of running your CD player straight through the amp, but bypassing the Syrah is a BIG mistake. The Syrah adds more resolution and low level detail to the music. The Berning has such a low noise floor that details that I had been missing in the music are now extremely clear. What I really like about this combo is that NONE of the dynamics or details are lost at low listening levels. Both micro and macro dynamics are incredible! Soundstage width and depth is huge also. I had my doubts as to wheather 70wpc would give my Gallo reference speakers enough power, but that has not been a problem at all. I can't recommend this amp highly enough to owners of Supratek preamps. I am taking the amp over to a friends house soon and we are going to hook it up to his SoundLab M1 speakers. This is a true David and Goliath situation, but I am told the Berning sounds great with the Sound Labs. I will let you know how this combo sounds. Oh, get this, the Berning amp weighs only 10lbs. That's right, 10lbs. It also has 3 feedback positions to match to your speakers for proper damping of the woofers. David Berning is a true design genius, right up there with Mick Maloney! |
Slowhand you must try NOS tubes with the Berning along with the cryoed 6jn6 outputs along with the custom ERS mods through Allan Baghan. If you are just listening to a stock unit, you ain't heard nothing yet! The Berning is very tweekable and its performance can be much improved. Its level of clarity is definitely top shelf.
For the 12AT7's I have tried the Brimars, Tung Sols and just installed Amperex Bugle Boy's French made and have a set of Telefunken's, not diamond plate. I really like the Tung Sols, more air, bloom and richness. The Brimars have the detail but are not quite as "musical" to my ears. The Amperex Bugle Boys I really need to listen to more and the Telefunkens are waiting in the wings.
The dynamics of the music with this combo is at times uncanny, like a horn system on some music. I've never heard the Merlin's come so alive. The presence on a great recording can make you almost believe you are there. This pre-amp is something quite special on an absolute level. It is hard to believe that this level of performance can be realized at the price. What a deal!
As an aside, my wife, who is not an audiophile spent 1 hour glued to the seat listening the 2nd night I had this pre. This is a first folks and we've been married 15 years and I've been into the "hi-end" hobby before we met. She is amazed at the naturalness of the music. I suppose that is the best adjective to describe the Supratek, It just gets you closer to the performance, the subtle things that make music come alive. Words can't describe it, only listening will. It makes you realize that in designing components there is definitely a large element of art otherwise more components would sound this "right".
While I think the phono stage is excellent and it is what everyone says, I am utterly amazed at the line stage. |
Tubegroover, I actually have the cryoed output NOS tubes and Brimmer 12at7's. They came with the amp when I bought it. I have been so blown away by the sound of the amp with the stock tubes that I am holding off on installing the NOS until later. What differences in sound did you notice from the ERS kit? On the subject of the Supratek, I agree with you, I love the phono stage of the Syrah, but am very surprised at just how good the line stage is. As much as I love vinyl and the sound of it, I will never be without a CD player. There is just too much great Jazz fusion music that I am discovering that cannot be had on vinyl. I will get around to installing the NOS tubes in the Berning later on. It gives me something to look forward to. I am told that GE 5865 5 star tubes are great in place of the stock 12au7's. Do you know where I can get any? I am in the process of buying some Mullard 6GK5's for my Syrah now. I would like to get some WE417's for the phono if I can find them. |
Tubegroover, let me know how the Amperex Bugle Boys sound compared to the Brimers and Tung Sols. |
Slowhand the 5965's GE "5 Star" NOS Platinum 1% pair 1970's (equivalent to 12AV7's) can be purchased from Brendan at Tubeworld.com. He seems to have found a cache of these. Very nice tubes. I have since replaced with Tung Sols but plan to put the GE's back in with the various 12AT7's I have on hand. The mixing matching possibilities are seemingly endless but it is the only way to find the magic that just "gets it right".
So far as the ERS mod goes, what is most notable is how much quieter or blacker things become, a lower noise floor. The result of elimination of RFI which you aren't aware of until its gone. The sound is so much more relaxed and effortless yet at the same time more resolving and dynamic. The effect of this change allowed me to actually *feel* the bass from the VSM speakers which is a first. Of all the mods and tweeks I've done to the amp including Still Points and cryoed tubes,upgrading coupling caps, this one is definitely the most significant, a must.
Asa mentions a few things above concerning the Berning and Supratek combo which I would tend to very much agree with, it is imperative that the right tubes be used. The Berning could be misconstrued by some, those that have listened to SET OTL amps, yours truly included, to be a bit lean in comparison. Actually it is lean compared to a Joule (what isn't?) but which one would be more preferable? The question is rhetorical and of course taste would dictate which would be best, both are great amps but are offered as contrasts in a direct comparison of different schools of thought in how reproduced music sounds. The real point here is that mixing and matching tubes with the Berning can tailor the sound more to a particular taste and balance. I doubt that the Amperex are going to best the Tung Sols so would consider the latter mandatory for this amplifier based on its tonal balance. I will keep you posted on the Amperex when I get the chance to evaluate extensively. Too many changes at once including evaluation of speaker cables. It sure seems the Supratek is a great candidate for extensive tweeking as well. |
Need some more info on the Chardonnay...
1. Does anyone have a picture of it? Can you share it (or, if you prefer, send me by e-mail)? What about the remote, is there any picture avaliable?
2. The goal is to match it with a Plinius SA-102 power amp. I am concerned (since I am not able to listen to it) with how they work together. The Plinius specs are Input Sensitivity: 0.8V RMS for rated output at 1kHz. Input Impedance: 47k Ohms. Would like to have your comments on this.
Thanks!
|
I think Waltersalas has the same Plinius amp. If he doesn't read this, then email him. |
Lisbon--
Jazzdude is correct. I have had the Plinius SA-102 in my system for the past several months now, and it sounds great with the Syrah. Previously, I had Bel Canto EVO 200.2 amps in a monoblock configuration, and while the sound was extremely good, with no real weaknesses I could identify, I still felt something was just missing--a certain "palpability" if you will. The Plinius did make a significant difference. Now the sound is richer and deeper, and yet all the finesse of the Bel Cantos is still there, too. In other words, the palpability is there, and then some. While I am far from an expert and a relative newbie compared to others here, I think the SA-102 is an excellent amp and a very nice playmate for the Supratek. Ignore the lackluster review in TAS this month and audition one for yourself if you get the chance. Email me if you have any more questions or concerns.
happy trails...
|
What tubes are you guys using in the phono section of your Supratek preamps? I am still using the stock tubes, but I am in the process of getting Mullard 6GK5's. I know the Western Electric 417 is supposed to be good, but they are very expensive, if you can find them. Any other suggestions? |
if you still have the dynavector cartridge, i think the we 417a & mullard 6gk5 will be the best,iv'e tried the ericsson 417a,& rca 6gk5 & get too much top end playing my helikon cartridge,yet they were ok when using the koetsu rosewood,try to find cryoed mullards if possible (better through the mids) |
I got my hands on some KenRad Black Glass VT231 from a reputable seller and I tried them on my Syrah. I found that while the sound was great, there was a huge amount of 'wind' coming from the tubes. It wasn't a hum per-se, but it sounded more like I was at the beach, listening to the sea. It was really too much background noise, and it was apparent form both channels equally (that said, the sound was great on all but quiet passages). I'm just wondering whether others have had such an experience with the KenRads, or other tubes. I had believed that these KenRads were perhaps the tube of choice for the Syrah/Chardonnay, but from my experience it wasn't the case. I substitued back in some Sylvania 6SN7s and got better results.
I've since applied the KenRads to my Blue Circle BC2 hybrid amps. There, I found the bass deeper (which matches the KenRad reputation) but perhaps at the expense of some treble - which now seems a bit hidden and less delicate (tubes replaced here were RCA Red Base 5692)s. Anyway, I'm wondering whether I should continue to experiment with tube choice, or just call it quits (I was a little disappointed to spend $125 on the KenRads and not get a bang for the buck). Anyway, I'd welcome thoughts and insights from others on potential other selections (maybe Sylvania VT231s, or 6SN7Ws, or metal based variants??).
On another note, my Syrah is totally kicking ass. It got me into vinyl and I haven't listened to a CD in months. I'm so glad I didn't go with the Chardonnay, but took the vinyl plunge (TT is Teres 135, OL Silver arm, Shelter 501Mk2).
Thanks,
Outlier |
Hi Outlier, Personal preference and system synergy are mostly what dictate which tubes are best for YOU (and YOUR system).
As for the wind noise... Preamps usually require the highest quality tubes. I have found that mabye 1 in 10 Ken Rads work well in my preamp. The others have that "wind noise" or tube rush or squeek or whatever. Some advice... when you buy tubes from dealers, find out if you can return the tubes if they don't work in your application. Many dealers will give you a refund or find you a better pair.
It took me lots of time and effort to get a stash of mint - sweet and noise free Ken Rad Black glass 6SN7's but for MY system it was worth it.
Also you might check an earlier post I made regarding the three varieties of Black Glass Ken Rads. Each has a similar yet unique signature. If you like Sylvania's in your system, then you would be best off with the NAVY labled Ken Rads Black Glass tubes -- they must say NAVY and not be just any old VT-231. The NAVY's are more extended and open in the highs when compared to standard VT-231's and of course the much "darker" sounding standard 6SN7 (not marked VT-231).
I've gone through many of these tubes and while there are sonic variations between similarly marked tubes, those differences are subtle when compared to the differences between the NAVY, VT-231 and standard 6SN7. |
Hi Bwhite, many thanks for the input. Sounds like good advice. I'll see can I return the tubes to the dealer I got them from. It's a pity it's so hit-or-miss with these tubes. 1 in 10 sounds like such bad odds ;-) Cheers,
Outlier |
Well guys, I have had the Mullard 6GK5's in my phono stage of the Syrah for a few days now and the results are more life and dynamics, along with a deeper soundstage. When a crash cymbal is hit it still has the power it had before, but now it is far behind the singer, as it should be. On another note, my Berning ZH270 amp just keeps getting better. I am in the process of a couple of uprgades, but how it can get any better I don't know. |
OK I'm interested. I simply have a mental problem buying gear that I cannot audition. So are there any owners of the Cortese (or its linestage equivalent) in the New England area (preferably southeastern as I live in Rhode Island)? To date I have been most impressed with Art Audio's (Gill Audio Design) Alana tube linestage but nobody seems to have heard of this piece. |
Mick's new website is up! Check out the latest eye candy:
http://www.supratek.biz
Also, alongside the new Supratek stuff, for those on the vinyl upgrade path, check out Teres Audio's new Teres 340 rig. Holy cow, just when I thought my upgrades were over for a while. I guess it never ends..
www.teresaudio.com
Cheers,
Outlier |
What kind of tube is the 101D and what is it's function in Mick's new preamp?
I've never heard of it before and NOS examples of the 101D appear to be harder to come by than a 350B.
I am sure the preamp sounds wonderful. But the availability of 101D's will influence any new purchase decision.
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Hello Gang.It seems most supratek owners have rolled out the stock tubes for various brands of nos tubes to "synergize" their systems. The older gt versions of the 6sn7's seem to be the tube of choice and rightly so.Phono tubes as well. A lot of people just do not realize that the voltage regulators and the rectifiers can have as much or more of an influence on the sound of their choice of tubes.One would think[by reputation and cost] the various nos mullard family of 5ar4/gz34's would be "the" choice for rectification. The lgendary mullards are great to be sure however.... there are a whole slew of nos rectifiers choices out there that can be had for a fraction of the cost of a nos mullard gz-34--- and many of them sound as good or even better! As far as the mullard family of rectifiers go...I personally think the Gz-33 sounds better than the GZ-34 in the syrah and is typically 1/2 the cost.I have an old 5v4g shoulder type rectifier [labelled Philco] that sounds better than all of the mullards...GZ32,gz33 and Gz34! I have 2 nos versions of the 5z4 that also sound terrific. These can typically be purchased for under $10 each.The best of the bunch in my system is the Bendex Redbank 6106. This tube is electrically equivalent to the 5y3g family of rectifier tubes but also indirectly heated with a slow power up to minimilize cathode stripping.Rectifiers "DO" make a difference!Especially in the depth department.When using the bendex.... the bass is better resolved,faster,more articulate and more extended than any of the mullards.The air between the instruments and performers on stage is also noticibly much more apparent.... lending itself to a better focus of each individual instrument or musician.The "tone" thing has more to do with the choice of the 6sn7 of course.However you can refine the "tone" of your nos Tung sol's,kenrads,and sylvanias with a good rectifier.Mullard's are great and will probably outlast you or the preamp... however, there are other nos choices out there that make great music with the supratek.Voltage Regulators??? Yes... they make a difference as well,just not to the extent of the rectifiers.The older 5881's and 6L6g's seem to sound a little more relaxed than the 6L6gb's or gc's,but can also sound a little soft when used with the ken-rad vt-231's or Rca grey glass vt-31's.The genelec Kt-66 as voltage regulators makes almost any 6sn7 sound wonderful[exclude the sovtek]. Of course ---the Western Electric 350b is the "King" of any of the 6L6 family of tubes and if you can afford them[or find them]they are "THE" tube of choice for voltage regulators and will outlive you and the rest of your equipment to boot!You really haven't heard the real tone of your tung-sol rounds until you regulate them with a pair of the Westrex 350b and a good rectifier! But start with the rectifier first.Hey!...wouldn't the world would be a very dull place without music???... enjoy! Cheers David. |
David, I agree. I have been through all of the regulators and the WE 350 B's are the cats meow. |
Hi Steve,
Thanks so much for posting your thoughts on Supratek. I agree with you completely! Mick is a first rate guy. He was great to deal with and he does take care of his customers. He always answers e-mail quickly and in terms you can understand. I had hoped to buy his new Burgandy amps, but I am not able to afford them. I have spoken to Mick about them as he was designing and testing them. I am sure they sound as incredible as the pres do. Good news though, as I found an amp that I could afford that is a beautiful match to the Syrah. It is the David Berning ZH270 amp. Like the Supratek, it has a very clear, liquid sound. It is very neutral sounding with a beautiful midrange and bass that you would not believe is coming from a tube amp. I highly recommend this amp for Supratek pre owners who need more power than Mick's SET amps and can't afford the cost of the new Burgandy amp. By the way, I like Mick's new website. You just can't go wrong with Mick Maloney and his beautiful equipment. I do however feel that NOS tubes do make a difference in the sound of my Syrah, as long as the tubes are quiet. Steve, you are a very lucky guy, getting to test Mick's designs and being able to know and deal with such a great guy directly. |
I agree Steve. You can go overboard on spending money on tubes, which is why I wait for a good deal to show up. With the Ken-Rad, Tung-Sol, and Sylvania tubes, I feel I have a good choice of sound in the line stage. I have a Bendex 6106 coming to me to try in the Rectifier. I am told it is much better than the Mullard GZ34 I am now using. We shall see. I think the reason people love tube rolling the Supratek is because the pre is so sensitive to tube changes tht you can tailor the sound to your system. I think we will all agree that Mick's preamps and amps for that matter, will stand up against anything out there. You may be able to buy better, but you are sure going to spend a lot of money to do it. |
It's amazing to see so much discussions on the Supratek preamp. My friend thought I was crazy when he knew I've bought a $5K preamp without hearing it. Frankly, I wouldn't have done it if I haven't come across this thread. Thank you guys for all the information.
I've been using the Cortese for more than one month now and I'm still crazy about it. I'm running out of superlatives to describe the sound of the Cortese. All I can say is that everything is so musical and real. Isn't it wonderful if you can actually feel the emotion of the violin player in a concerto?
I agree with Steve that the stock tubes sound pretty good in the Supratek. The 6N8P is really respectable and you won't feel lacking of anything. However, if you can get hold of some decent NOS 6SN7 at good price then it's worth giving it a try. I'm using Ken Rad VT231 and I'm happy with it. As for the phono stage, get yourself a pair of WE 417a and TFK cca then you can sit back, relax and enjoy the music!
Happy listening to all Supratek owners!
Steven C |
How tall are the feet?
I'm getting a Chardonnay ( black with Chrome ) in 6 weeks and I have RixRax stand that has 8.0" between shelves. None of the photos on Supratek website show the feet. Mick has told me he may need to put on shorter feet to meet my 8.0" requirement.
I'm considering asking Mick to replace stock feet with BDR ( 1.0" ) or StillPoints ( 1.125" ) depending on height of stock feet.
- Ken |
Rmml sent me Chardonnay dimensions.
thanks
- Ken |
Hey there,
Does the Syrah preamp (with remote) ever show up on Audiogon? I'd love to find a used one that someone was willing to part with, as I can't quite afford the nearly $3000 price right now (after shipping, etc.)
Thanks,
Todd |
The reason I'm responding is that I am the first poster to reach the 500 post milestone on this site, I think. Seriously Todd, I doubt if you are going to find a used Sarah with remote at much less than 3K but you will probably get a few extras including NOS tubes and forgiveness of Custom duties not to mention the savings of shipping costs from down under to your front door and last but certainly not least, the wait. The reason you might find one is that some deep pocketed audiophile with the resources to own whatever he likes probably bought one and in the interim of the wait found something better. Just an off the wall hypothesis but why else? I doubt there is anything that approaches what this pre does at anything close to its price. It is just a wonderful piece.
I would say if you could find a Sarah with remote for less than or around 3K you probably would have a difficult time doing better and surely could do a lot worse. Save your money but don't expect a find for much less than retail. |
Well guys, I can't believe it, 500 posts on this thread! When I posted this thread last year I had no idea it would become what I believe is the longest in Audiogon history. I am so glad that I have been able to help spread the word about Mick, his great company, and his beautiful looking and sounding products. Let's all raise a glass to Mick! Gaday Mates! |
Tubegroover, you dog, you beat me to it, I was planning to write post 500! I ordered a Syrah in December, and it just arrived, I have not plugged it in yet. One thing that is kind of cool - there is no writing or labels on the chrome finish. Mick points out that it would mar the artform, and that stock labeling is not practicle for custom designed equipment. (He does include a drawing that explain what the switches are, and which inputs are phono, cd etc.)
I've seen two used Syrahs on Audiogon, but they were not much below the original price, so new is probably the best option. |
