dammit! i thought there was something new there. just the same old info as previous. mick must be too busy churning out orders to update his site. |
Oops,My opology .Its been awhile since ive been on Micks site. I also missed Slowhands and Steven1960 breif discussion on the new amps...Once Mick gets them squared away and up for sale,I will concider them. |
Hi guys, a new poster here and soon to be a new Supratekie also. I have been a Audiogon member for years, but I have never posted before. I guess I just do not care for the format, much prefer AA.
Anyway Supratek has pushed me to post. So I have a few questions.
I just placed a order for a Chardonnay, Mick says he will have no Jarrah wool for 8 weeks, so I took the Sheoak wood with chrome top and gold knobs.
Does anybody here have a Sheoak wood model and can coment on how it looks compared to the picture.
The other question is, how do you get to the end of a tread here without scrolling through the whole thing.
Thanks for any help,
Allan. |
Hello Allanblissett,
Welcome to the wonderful world of Supratek! I own a Cortese with the Sheoak wood and black top. It is absolutely beautiful. The Sheoak looks much better in person than it does in pictures. Mick told me when I ordered mine that the pictures don't do it justice and he was right. It has a beautiful lace look to the wood. I owned a Syrah before I got my Cortese and it had the Jarrah and Chrome top. I like the Sheoak much better (although the Jarrah is very nice too). These preamps look like pieces of art! But, better than that, they sound fantastic. I have had my Cortese for over 3 months now and I still have the stock tubes in it. I have plenty of NOS tubes, but it sounds so great, I have not had the desire to try the NOS tubes yet. Don't worry, your preamp will look beautiful. One note, the chrome tops are harder to keep clean and free of fingerprints. |
SLowhand, thanks very much for the reasurance, I was just a little worried as I had never seen anybody mention that they had that wood,which I cann't even pronounce.
I kind of like the look with the black top also, but the crome is so sharp. I guess I will be cleaning a little more.
Did you get the gold knobs? I also asked him for a gold emblem instead of the brand.
Allan. |
Yes, I got the gold knobs on mine. |
Allanblissett - I have the Chennin in sheoak and chrome top. It looks fantastic so dont worry. A dealer Ive worked with for years came over for a listen the other night and was very impressed with both looks and sound. Mine is a little darker than the picture on Micks site. |
Braro, thanks for the info, How is the phono, is it really as good as everybody says. I did not get the Chenin as I have a AE ph1 that I built from the kit and I love it.
Maybe due for a later upgrade.
Allan |
Allanblissett - I dont have a turntable yet. I bought the Chennin with the idea that I would eventually get into vinyl. I have however heard my Chennin phono stage on a fellow audiophiles system. He is using the Aesthetix(sp)IO which I believe is very highly regarded. I thought the Chennin was as good as the IO. I do not have much experience with vinyl and I heard my Chennins phono stage in an unfamiliar system for just a few hrs so keep that in mind. All tubes in my Chennin are stock BTW. It is so good to these ears that I have had no desire to tube roll. Im sure curiosity will get the best of me though and I will eventually start rolling. You can look up the system I heard my Chennin in here. His handle is mem916. |
I will give you my own example of how high I regard the Chenin phono stage: I just place an order for the Walker Proscenium Gold Turntable. Yes, the Chenin phono stage is that good. The Chenin is a world class preamp, capable of supporting the best sources and amplifiers in the world, IMHO. |
I thought i was done for now,,,,,but,,im thinking of ordering a pr. of KT-88s later this year! 40 watts,is anyone else thinking about getting a pr of these ? |
What rectifier tube does the Chardonnay power supply use?
Is it interchangeable with 5u4g or 5u4gb, I hope so, I already have lots of those. |
Hi Raytheprinter,
I thought Mick said the KT-88 amps were going to be 100wpc. |
I made a mistake,,Mick said they were 70 watts,my apologys,,,Slowhand,this is from an email i recieved a couple days ago from Mick. |
Is there any pricing yet on the KT88 amps? Or availability date? I have a deposit down on the Merlot amps right now.
Raytheprinter - what amp are you using now? |
Allen,The Chardonnay uses a 5AR4 for rectifier,i read in another thread the 5AR4 can be used as a substitute for 5U4,but not the other way around.If youd like to read the thread,do an audiogon search for "5U4" and click on discusion post,the same question was asked,hope this helps,Ray |
Hello Indigorose,Heres Micks reply to my email from 2 days ago,"Still working on it and undergoing reliability testing,70 watts,under 3000.00-this year sometime"I have a CJ MF2500A that i love,but it has more power than my new speakers can handle(Harmonic Precision Caravelles)which are monitors ,ill be adding a powered sub soon,so im reasoning that with the powered sub for the lows the KT88s will be an even better match with my Chardonnay and Caravelles,,i hope im right,,,,,just when i thought i was done for now Mick comes out with an affordable pr of tube monoblocks!! |
Thanks Ray, I guess I will have to start another collection. |
Allen,The Chardonnay uses a 5AR4 for rectifier,i read in another thread the 5AR4 can be used as a substitute for 5U4,but not the other way around.If youd like to read the thread,do an audiogon search for "5U4" and click on discusion post,the same question was asked,hope this helps,Ray Thw 5V4 can also be substituted for a 5AR4. I tried it on my Chenin. To me, it is better than most new production 5AR4 to date. |
Hi Allen. The 5u4g will work for rectification duty but really not recommended in the supratek. It is a "directly heated" rectifier wherby the 5ar4/gz34 is an indirectly heated rectifier.... meaning it has a much slower ramp up time preventing any cathode stripping of the other tubes. |
Thanks, I know about the fast ramp up. Its just that those nice big Sovtek 5u4g would look so great on top of that chrome :) |
Hi Allen. Yeah, I can appreciate the beauty, however considering the cost of any nos 5au4, the sovtek looks a whole lot better in a box. |
G'day everyone.This is my first post here.I took delivery of my Cabernet two days ago and am enjoying it immensely.I guess I am one of the lucky ones because I live near Supratek and Mick has been very patient and helpful in assisting me to decide which of the preamps I wanted.This task has not really been easy because I have had a chance to hear all of them and they are all superb in their own way.I decided on the Cabernet because I have always loved the sound of 300b valves.I am also using very light paper coned speakers which benefit from a slightly warmer sound.If I was using different speakers one of the other models may have been my choice.
Anyway I think it is nice to be part of a pretty lucky little club of people who, on the whole ,have come to Supratek because of musical enjoyment,not gatgetry or brand snobbery.
Mick is more passionate about music than anything else and his products are a testament to this.
Finally let me say that I did have to wait for my Cabernet,and that this can get frustrating.They really are worth this wait however.
JT |
Hi JT and welcome. Have you heard any of Micks amplifiers, even pre production models with his preamps in a system? Any comments would be great... |
Hi JT,
Welcome to the Supratek family! Wow, it must be great getting a chance to listen to all of Mick's designs. Enjoying the music is what it's all about for me. No more looking for the latest greatest thing out there. Mick's designs transcend time, so you can truly focus on the music. |
Thanks for the welcome Stiltskin and Slowhand.
The first time I heard a Supratek preamp was a revelation.Most audiophiles seem to spend a lot of time effort and money "upgrading" without ever really improving the long term satisfaction that they get from their system.This especially applies to those pursueing perfect neutrality, which is a fiction.These are the same types who go to see a live performance and concentrate more on the venue acoustics than on the performance itself.
The word transcend is especially appropriate to Micks products because they can help audiophiles to forget about the componentry and just enjoy the music.The preamps are especially important in this role.The only other products I know with similar transcendence values are very good electrostatic speakers.
It sounds like a lot of people are anxious to hear about the new KT88 amps.I have only heard these briefly but was very impressed.I use push-pull amps myself and see no reason why they shouldn't sound just as good as SE if the design is right.I know that Mick is really pleased with these.Sometimes less is more.
JT |
Hi Jt, Yes I am particularly interested in Micks KT-88 monos .Mick did such GREAT job on the Chenin I bought from him,these new monos should be a crazy good mate for my preamp. Having just bought a new system last year including a pair of used O.T.L. monos,there is room for improvment and better matching with my pre. This is the second system I have bought since the early 1980s.The only thing left from my first decent stereo is my Quad 63s,some Mod Squad tip toes and some Monster wires. My Wife and I had a great time putting our new system together.We have never heard our favorite music like this in our home.I think Micks new amps will be icing on the cake for us... |
Hello JT, congratulations on your new Cabernet. I just got my Cab this past December. Trust me, as happy as you are now with the fabulous fit, finish and sound, you won't believe what will happen in a couple or weeks or so. You will be enjoying your music and then the unit warms up and breaks in and you will be taken to audio heaven. It is that dramatic! I have been through a wonderful evolution of great gear, old Mcintosh, new Mcintosh, Conrad Johnson, Lamm and others, but this is the best "ride" I have ever owned! I was a "newbie" at tube rolling, a little intimidated but I am now getting into that and the doors keep opening up. So enjoy and keep this thread going. It is the grand thread on the site. If you like, I will share my novice experience at the tubes I am slowly, and this I recommend, getting into, and I am sure this will inspire more thoughts and opinions. |
Hi Gang,
I have been away for a while but come back to read the threads every now and then. Congratulations to Jtgosifh for your new toy! Does your Cabernet has any microphonic issue? I am asking this as mine is too sensitive - it picks up my voice if I speak a little bit louder in my listening room if there is no disc is spinning. During loud passage that ended abrutly, I still could hear the the sound being "sustained" through microphonic effect. I have tried tube rings, isolation pad, and everything that you can imagine but in vain. Not that I do not enjoy the music coming out from this pre-amp but the microphonic issue keeps bothering me. Other than that this is a fabulous pre-amp.
Kenji |
Hello all , I have a Cortese 3-4 years old and need a pair of tungsol pearl 12B4A cryo-vac tubes. Anyone know where I can get a pair ?
Does this tube have a large impact on the sound ?
Is there a better or more common tube to get ?
Thank you for the help
Abill |
I get some microphonics if I tap on the chasis but this settles down quickly and certainly does not intrude on the music.My speakers are 98db sensitivity so show up problems like this.I used to have a Lux power amp that had bad microphonics.I sold this and later discovered my power supply was running up to 266 volts when it was meant to be 240 volts-this may have been a cause.It might pay to get your power supply checked.I had mine lowered at the transformer.Also stevem60 has a type of 300b which he reckons has very low microphonics.I'll ask him to post info on this.
What 300b valves do you find sound best in the Cabernet?I have tried the TJ meshplate which sounds nice tonally but I think the EH has much more precise imaging and tighter bass.I remember comparing the EH and the Western Electric and I prefered the EH!.
Does tube rolling just involve dunking the tubes in liquid nitrogen or does it have to be done when the moon is right and with the tube in a special cow horn- bio dynamic style?I have access to liquid nitrogen.
JT |
I have a pair, cyoyed even, brand new. Shoot me an e mail with your info and you can have them. I moved up to the Cabernet, so I don't have any need for them |
my response was to abill about the 12b4a's he needed |
JT,
My power supply is okay. I like the sound of the PX4 tubes more than 300B so I did not do any 300B tube rolling even though Cabernet has this option. I tried TJ 300B once but the bass was too much for my ears and switched back PX4 tubes.
Kenji |
Hi Kenji,The TJ does have a big bass but I am bi-amping so can attenuate it a bit.I have been listening to both the TJ and the EH and am starting to prefer the TJ-the mid is much nicer although the EH is very new and might free up in time.
Yet to try the PX4 or 45.
JT |
JT,
TJ also makes PX25/5V (5 Volt version)tubes that can replace 300B's. The look is awesome but I have yet to try them. The tubes that I'm listening to right now are Sovtek 5AR4 x 1, Sylvania 6f6g x 2, EH6SN7 x 2 and TJ PX4 x 2. If I would like to pamper myself, I would plug in my collection of NU350B's, Mullard GZ34's and CV1988's. YMMV.
Kenji |
Kenji,thanks for the information.Sounds like I need to try some of the TJ PX4 at some stage.
I have a third set of speakers -open baffle[1964 Wharfedale above 250hz] and then crossing to titanium and ribbon tweeters around 3.5 k.Although the midrange is superbI was never really happy with the tweeters in these but with the Cabernet they are sounding really good-amazing!
It all makes you wonder if people are forever changing speakers when all they need is a really good pre.
Is anyone using Van den Hul the first inteconnects between CD and Cabernet? This carbon fibre cable seems to be a good match-certainly much better than silver or any of my copper cables.
JT |
I tried that website for Supratech but it is closed.Do they have a new site?
Thanks |
|
No response for a while. I guess everyone is sitting back and enjoying their Supratek preamps. I just upgraded to a Grange and am very pleased. If anyone is interested in my 6 mo. old Cortese Signature please let me know. Black and chrome. |
i'm still holding on for more news regarding the new kt88 amps. |
Tried a little tube rolling in my Cortese today. I have had the pre since November and have only used the stock tubes up to now. I took out the stock rectifier and put in a Phillips Miniwatt metal base GZ34. To my surprise, I saw no improvement in sound over the stock tube. I then tried a Bendix 6106. after a few minutes of letting the tube warm up, the pre started making noises I did not like (this was with the sound muted). I took the Bendix out and reinstalled the stock rectifier. The pre plays fine. I have not tried tube rolling any other tubes, but it may be that Mick has voiced the pre so well to the stock tubes that NOS is a waste. |
With my Chenin, the tube rolling has been pretty limited. I tried swapping out the stock 6922's with Amperex NOS only to be disappointed with the results. I was very pleased however, with replacing the stock 6SN7's with NOS RCA Grey Glass 6SN7. Overall, I have to agree with Slowhand. I think Mick knows what he is doing in his choice of tubes when he ships a preamp. Who am I to argue? |
Hi to all
Long time has passed since ny last post. Why? Beacuse, ever since I got my Supratek (Chardonnay), I stopped worrying with audio improvement. Yes, it is that good!
The problem now is that every time I switch on the preamp extremely loud noises come form my speakers. You can actually see the woofers banging. Anyone experienced this? Any solution?
I am trying to solve this problem along with Mick (by e-mail). But I'm afraid I'll have to sent the preamp back to get it fixed. Otherwise my speakers can get damaged for life in no time.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Best regards,
Lisbon |
Lisbon,
Does this problem occur when "unmuting" the preamp, or does it occur when powering it up?
Remember, when turning on your system: Preamp on first - amps on second. When shutting down: Amps off first - preamp off second.
If it occurs when "unmuting", try it with the volume turned down. |
Thanks for answering.
I am turning on the system exactly as I always did. CD on. Preamp on. Power amp on. The power amp takes about ten seconds to go AND after that it stays automatically muted for security reasons. Nice. Then I unmute the power amp and everything goes well. But not now. So let me try to explain... (you know, English is not my mother tongue - sorry if my explanation is not clear)
When I unmute the power amp (after doing all I refered to above) these EXTREMELY loud noises come into scene (with the volume turned down). I imediatly mute it again. Switch off the preamp. Switch back on. Unmute the power amp again and everything goes well (actually, yesterday it was not that easy - needed to turn the preamp off and on almost for 10 times...).
So something is really wrong and I am naturally concerned. For the preamp and above all for my speakers.
If you or anyone have had the same experience (or simple suggestions) please do not hesitate to drop a line here. Thank you in advance.
* other than that, the preamp sounds wonderful. |
Hi Lisbon,
I wonder are you getting a loud noise out of both speakers?
I had a scary experience with a valve filament failing which caused a very loud noise even with the sound turned down but only in one channel.
However if it is from both speakers - unless it is a bad tube common to both channels? unlikely to be two tubes going at once.
Hopefully Mick will sort you out.
Rgds Simon |
Slipknot1
With my Chenin, the tube rolling has been pretty limited. I tried swapping out the stock 6922's with Amperex NOS only to be disappointed with the results. I was very pleased however, with replacing the stock 6SN7's with NOS RCA Grey Glass 6SN7. Overall, I have to agree with Slowhand. I think Mick knows what he is doing in his choice of tubes when he ships a preamp. Who am I to argue? I too enjoy my Chenin with the RCA VT-231 Grey glass. The Raytheons VT-231 was also superb in my application. In fact, I now have 3 pairs of Raytheons in my stash so as not to missed the ride if you know what I mean. As for the phono, as I posted a long long time ago and repeatedly, the 6C4 is the money tube for me. If you have not tried it already, I recommend the Tungsol 6C4 and the Raytheon 6C4. The Tungsol have warmer mids (like the RCA's which I know you are using), a very balance top and solid bottom. The Raytheons have a better top end but less "warmer" on the mids and it also has a little more "kick" on the bass than the Tungsols. After trying these tubes, I can now say, that the Mullard M8080(which I thought the best tubes for me in this position) was inferior to both. Lisbon, List your tubes on the Chardonnay if you have not change them already. Also, what about replacing the input cables from preamp to amp? Have you tried having the pre and the amp plug into a common outlet(local ground)? Just a thought! greetings |
Problem solved. My Tung-Sols VT-231 were the cause of all that noise. Back to stock tubes and got pure silence. Thanks to all of you who tryed to help. Best, Lisbon. |
I have in my posession a vast array of tubes ranging from WE350B, Tung Sol round plates 6SN7 Black Glass, Ken Rad Black Glass VT-231, Sylvania JAN-CHS-VT231, Mullard GZ34, Sylvanis 6F6G, RCA VT-232 Grey Glass, Sylvaina 6SN7GT, Raytheon 6SN7-WGT, etc.... the list goes on and one.
All I can say is stop, step back, take a deep breath, and walk into the un-chartered territory that most of us have NOT known. It taken 3 years of owning a Supratek to get to this point. A complete round trip, back to where I started and the answer was sitting in my face as clear as daylight all along.
Other tubes may sound different, and yes they really sound different in my system, Each new tube inserted makes a difference. But at the end of the day the Supratek was optimised for a particular set of valves, yes folks, the ones included with the unit, when the unit arrived at your door step and you had that big grin on your face. When you opened the Federal Express box(s) with the included Sovtek 5AR4, Sovtek 6SN7 and Electro Harmonix 6L6, with a tear thinking, yes, yes the time has finally come.
Stop and listen to the original tubes, I think you may be pleasently surprised as to the calibre and the way it competes with NOS tubes. Best way to test this theory is to take all the NOS tubes out, dust off the Stock tubes sitting in the back drawer of a cupboard as mine where, plug them in and brace your self.
It does not get much better that that...Loads of Detail, Sonic Balance that does not tend to emphasise one area at expense of another, smooth and liquidy as one friend said today.
P.S. Remember to leave all the components on for at least 24 hours before passing judgement.
Happy Listening,
Fellow Audiophile (Learner) |
