Preamp Deal of the Century

Thanks. Mick also recommended the EML 45s. If the 300B are 'too much', I am sure I won't have any problems selling them. The EML dealer lives very close to me (in the Napa Valley), so it would be easy to pick up a pair of those. But first I need that preamp ... and it will take more patience.

have a new pair of EML 300B Mesh waiting for them

The EML's are my favorites tubes, on that preamp the EML 45 specifically, the 300B's for my taste is too much but it could be a personal preference. I haven't tried the TA's though or the Elrog's

Just be careful with the mesh I read and heard from so many sources that mesh plates pose more problems than standard solid plates

Congrats

Congratulations! I also considered going from the Chardonnay to a line stage "Grange," or the "all out" version he was starting to build as he had time. When I asked about it Mick wrote, "The “all out” version is the 6J5 line stage which I use in the Grange Signature . But you can only use 6J5 tubes, not 6Sn7." Since I didn’t want to start again with tube buying, I decided to go with the 6SN7 Cabernet (it uses the same cabinet as the Chardonnay). It’s currently on the way, still waiting for a plane out of Perth (suggest never using postal express to/from Australia, although much less $$ than DHL/UPS).

I found this awesome thread the first time just before Mick went on his preamp building hiatus. I was ready to pull the trigger back then and was very disappointed to learn he quit the business. However, persistence paid off and in 2020 I ordered my Chardonnay 3 in wood/chrome. I run it with a EML 274B Mesh, Gold Lion KT66, and Linlai Elite 6SN7. I just love it and after a bigger than expected annual bonus, I ordered his new Grange, but as a Line Stage only since I don't have a turntable set-up. Since the huge regular Grange chassis is not needed, he builds this Grange LS into the Cabernet chassis. I am 2.5 months into my supposed 3 month order time, but am not holding my breath... I know it will take probably 4 months. This time I ordered the preamp in black/chrome and already have a new pair of EML 300B Mesh waiting for them. Also got a pair of Gold Lion 300Bs as my daily work horses. As soon as the Grange is here I will put up my beautiful Chardonnay for sale (I think... maybe I just keep it - it is like a good red wine after all). Mick is a master at his trade and you simply cannot go wrong with his preamps. Did I really need to upgrade? Probably not, but we are all a bit crazy, ain't we? Totally excited to hear my first ever 300B preamp.

I ordered a Chardonnay 3  and  Mick said my Chardonnay will have Linlai 6sn7 tubes. 

Chuckie 

For Supratek owners who are rolling their 6SN7s I'd like to simply draw your attention to the nearby thread on the Linlai E 6SN7 tubes. I haven't tried them but apparently they sound pretty good.

There’s a “Reference 6SN7” thread on head-fi and a “Shootout of Nos 6sn7 tubes” here on Agon. Another with the same title on What’s Best Forum. Then there are tube dealer charts, as mentioned above.

I have several older 6SN7 and 6F8G pairs available to try out.

and what do you think after talking to don Sachs who uses the Shuguang 6SN7GT vacuum tube in his pre     that i bought for the Gen3 Chardonnay?...comments PLEASE & THANK YOU!!

@pesky_wabbit 

” One of the reasons the Supratek sounds good is that it uses a tube based shunt regulator, which is pretty rare. Most manufacturers go for a much more easily easily implemented series regulator.“

+1 

Thanks high Stream...and pesky i had yhe same feling about the Tube based shunt regulator....Can any and all of you on this Fab Thread let me know what  6SN7 you using and why...and were can i get a pair....some like High Stream gave some interesting picks....comon Brothers and let me know what. tubes you selltted

on..hows it sounded to the junk stock,,,and were can i buy a pair.....THANKS MY AUDIO BROTHERS!

One of the reasons the Supratek sounds good is that it uses a tube based shunt regulator, which is pretty rare. Most manufacturers go for a much more easily easily implemented series regulator.

I have found this tends to give a very solid and assured sonic signature.

@audio123 I’ve been using all Synergistic Research Orange fuses. Recently, SR has gone one better according to the reviews with their Purple version. The past couple of weeks I’ve inserted a couple of Audio Magic Ultimate Premier fuses into my ATC active speakers. Very good. A bit darker sound than the Orange, but very smooth, clear, a more articulate and deeper base, and eeringly quiet. I look forward to comparing them with the Purple, probably when SR has a 3-for-2 sale. Jerry at AM is working a new fuse too, which is how I got mine from a dealer clearing stock. There are pro and user reviews of the Purple and Orange fuses online, including here on Agon.

Now that SR Orange users are replacing them with Purples, the former are appearing on the market at a price level that makes it easier to dip your toe in. Watch HiFi Shark. One thing to know about SR fuses (but not AM) is that they are not built to industry spec, Users learned early on to go one amp value or 25% higher. The problem is initial surges blowing them, which even the horse’s mouth at SR mentioned to me last week. For the Chardonnay, I had a 3.15A blow on start up after merely connecting RCA’s for subwoofers, no power. So I’ve been using a 4A since (small, slow-blow).

On the subject of tweaks, one of the very best I’ve come across is High Fidelity’s NPS-1260 3D contact solution. There’s a thread on Agon about it with several very happy campers, as well as a rave review in Enjoy the Music. The stuff, not cheap, is the real deal.

years from 88 to 94...was in my early 40's....

 umbilical chord was a special editon and made a nice improvment...never changed the fuse Highsteam..what should i go with?....Dont like to bring this up too often..But as a Drummer who toured with the largest Fusion band (Spyro Gryra) in the US...I think i know Live Music..which is always louder...not centered in the sweet spot and far from being what we expect from are faux High end systems..never less...I truly enjoy to sit on the middle and with a cocktail or to thimk om back on stage...TRUTH!!

Congrats. It's always satisfying when small changes yield big results. Still, unless Mick dug into his special stock of tubes, there's a lot of room for improvement. And also the fuse and umbilical too. 

Forgot to mention    the ML Montis And The Dual Vandersten subs sit back 6ft from the front wall

Greetings all....put back the $600 i all ready spent on tubes....room is 18 x 22...treated with ascoustic  tube traps behind the ML Montis...also a diffuser between the ML...Sit in the Midfield triangle...8ft apart and i isten 8ft back...thought i had the Holy grail of set up...But i made a half inch turn to both Montis to the outside and ..Wow  the Brightness was gone and the system is Killing me....NON stop binge..and to think i wanted to sell the Gen 3 Chardonnay!!....what was i thinking..a big shout out to Rocky 54 for all the Advice(NONE)....goes to show .. if you thought you had your speakers dialed in...as i did...well you might need to spend a little more time as i did...WOW..Thanks to all....

Cant thank all the Audio Brothers who helped me out...I will be pursuing some of these tubes and will let you know the outcome...Thank you once again!!

I’ve never dealt with Andy, but have always been impressed with his site. At least for information, Brent Jessee’s site is very useful too. That said, if I’d known what I eventually learned about the newer Sophia and Treasure Globe tubes, I’d have saved a few $K and lots of time. What I would have lost would have been learning about and listening to lots of older tubes, now all lined up across the brick base of my fire place.

Before I switched to the Treasure Globe’s, available from Rachel at Premium Vacuum tubes (Grant Fidelity), my favorites were the Sylvania 6F8G, the latter type being the original 6SN7 name, and the USAF 596 rectifier. They both do require an adapter from China or from Woo Audio (better but more expensive) though. Btw, there’s an RCA tube date guide online under the search "date codes for RCA-made tubes Ludwell Sibley" (the only thing missing is that for replacement tubes from the mid 1950s on RCA used a YY-WW on the base, where WW referred to the week of the year). Some for other brands’ are available too.

+1 for Andy at vintage tube services,  you have to call him because he is old school,  but he has the best tubes.

Andy from Vintage Tube Services has nice 6sn7 tubes. A little expensive but he backs his tubes.

thanks for some great advice, High stream and my audio brother Snopro,,...any website that may have some of these...do not trust E-bay....anyone else want to chime in and if you have anything to sell????

Audio123, 

The RCA 6sn7 VT-231 gray glass or Kenrad 6sn7 VT-231 staggered plates with black glass or clear glass should give you what you want.

Sophia Electric Aqua 274B, Grant Fidelity Treasure Globes (6SN7) and early 1960s RCA 6L6GC’s. Best combo for my tastes I’ve come across, after trying many others. Everything one likes, plus a touch of warmth, tho the latter ultimately depends on balancing the sound of the system as a whole to one’s tastes.

Rocky54...glad i could amuse you..a real joker i am

ML Montis speakers.....dual Vandersteen 2wq subs...The latest Rogue M-180 tube mono blocks with the upgraded Dark Edtion..Audio Mirror 3 special edtion Dac..cyrus transport all with assorted Acoustic Zen Cables.......if anyone could let me know what your using and how it changed the stock tubes that I have seated again in the pre and if you have a set rady to sell...Thanks to all  (rocky54 you help was Priceless!!)

Sounds like you'd love it if it just sounded good. That's funny.

Tell us about your system and what tubes and power fuses you are using.

Greetings i NEED HELP...Love my chardonnay but need a much more liquid mid and Highs with sum KICK ASS BAS...can any one come to my rescue...this is the latest Gen 3 pre...Please and thank you my Sistas and Brothers!....Audio123...HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@ markusthenaimnut we should try and connect.  I have two 2 channel systems going and am setting up a third in a spare bedroom. 

Agree! In the near future, I may be looking to go up to a 6SN7 Cabernet from the Chardonnay, with the thought to ask Mick to let out all the stops in terms of materials quality. I have no interest in the dual though, as I’m happy with the 6SN7 sound, not feeling the need to play with two options, and have spent more than enough money in arriving at a set of tubes I really like (Treasure Globe, early ‘60’s RCA 6L6GC and Sophia Aqua 274B).

Still the preamp deal of the century!