How would you compare the sound of the Syrah to the Cortese? |
The Cortese is just more resolving. The Cortese sounds better with stock tubes than the Syrah did with NOS tubes. |
Any opinions on a CD player that works well with the Chardonnay in the 2-3 k range?
IÂve read positive reviews on both Lector and Rega products. |
I am currently using the Ayre Cx7e which works well with the Chardonnay - clean and revealing sound. Looking into the Meridian G08 as an upgrade - very musical with a spacious soundstage. Hope this helps. |
i'm a big fan of 47 labs gear with my chardonnay. i have a shigaraki transport and dac with a pure power batterly power supply. the transport and dac by themselves are excellent, but with the battery power, it's extraordinary. |
I am using a Sony SCD-1 with VSEI mods. Sounds great, but still not the equal of my analog setup. I hope to send it in to upgrade the VSEI mods from level 2 to level 5+. |
what position are most people using on the gain switches behind the 6sn7s? (forward or back) |
Forward with the rear gain knob 1 notch down from the top. If I switch the toggles next to the 6sn7's to low gain (back) I lose dynamics. |
Ditto Slowhand - Forward - definite difference in dynamics. |
IKKyu2,
I found the source of my image drift to the right. I took out the NOS RCAs I have been using, and poped in the stock EH 6sn7s, and imediately everything lined up again.
Dead center, I guess one of the RCAs are a little weeker than the other.
So try a different set of 6sn7, or at least swap them around to see what happens.
AB. |
Slowhand,
I understand from the thread that a significant difference is heard in the Chardonnay/Syrah when swapping the stock rectifier for something else. The predominant rectifier tube experience is split between the bendix 6106 and the 5AR4. Were to start the tube rolling, with a NOS Philips Miniwatt METAL BASE or a bendix 6106? IMHO the 5AR4 seems more consistent with the Supratek documentation but there are many happy listeners out there with the 6106. I want to first commit to a rectifier and then swap the other tubes out in a systematic fashion. |
powers:
i use a bendix 6106 and have verified with mick that it is swapable in the supratek circuit. i haven't heard the phillips metal base so i can't comment on the sound, but the price difference is substantial. $400 for the phillips versus $40 for the bendix. |
I used both the 6106 and the metal base GZ34 in my Syrah. I liked them both, but for the difference in price the 6106 is a bargain compared to the metal base GZ34. I put a 6106 in my Cortese to see how it would sound and after a few minutes it started making some weird sounds so I took it out and put the stock tube back in.
Mick has told me many times that he does not like NOS tubes. He said that the prices people charge and get for them are crazy. The last time I spoke to him about NOS tubes (which was a good while back) he said he was not going to be able to cover damage caused by NOS tubes that are not direct replacements for the stock tubes. |
Hello, Powers,
My experience may be helpful to you. I got my Chenin in early December. It had the stock Sovtek 5AR4. From the recommendations in this thread, I bought the Bendix 6106. Huge improvement. Break in is slow, but not too bad. I later bought a NOS Miniwatt GZ34 (got a good deal, $225). The bass is super deep and tight. But something sounds constrained. It may be break in related, so I'm running it a while to see if it opens up. Then will compare to the Bendix.
Meanwhile, I don't think you can go wrong with the Bendix to start. Slowhand, Ecclectique and the other seasoned tube rollers here have been super helpful and won't steer you wrong. |
Allanblissett, thanks for sharing the tip. I'll check my 6NS7's and let you know what happens. |
Powers,
in the price range you ask there is a magnificient CD player: the CEC 51TLXR. Many revievers have it as their personal CD player. It has a last generation DAC and you can use it as a transport only if you want to experiment with outboard DACs. There are several reviews out there, check Stereo Times. |
Anyone else got their Malbec or Mondeuse? |
I purchased the upgraded umbilical cord from Brad at Revelation Audio Lab for my Chardonay. The cord totally transformed my Chardonay. I was shocked listening to the level of changes. The best $169 ever spent. |
Just curious...anybody ever do an A-B between a Syrah/Chenin/Cortese and a Hovland HP-100 with MC? How did the Supratek stack up? |
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Tuongsy,
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What types of differences did you hear from using the upgraded umbilical cord ?
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Do you have a phone number for Revelation Audio Lab ?
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Many Thanks,
Larry
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Larry,
the contact info for Revelation Audio can be found here:
http://www.revelationaudiolabs.com/contact/index.htm. |
Larry
In my case the music became much clearer. It's like a thick film was removed. It's crystal clear. Revelation audio lab is listed on Audiogon.
Good luck.
Tim |
Tim,
Did you buy the umbilical cable directly through the listing on audiogon? Was it the "Passage" cryosilver cable 0.5m in length? |
Colink04
Purchased directly through listing on Audiogon. It is the passage cryosilver .5m. Brad will know exactly what you need. He would have to get the special connector to fit the Supratek.
Tim |
Is it the cord, or the length of the cord that made the difference?
Don't want to be skeptical here but I want to know if somebody tried a shorter umbilical cord than the stock ones (I believe about 5 feet?) and observed an improvement.
regards |
Tuongsy/Tim,
Thanks for the reply. I checked with Brad and the price has gone up to $199 now. |
Price gone up so fast! Isn't coincidental when someone is starting to promote the cables? That's why I love Mick... he sticks to the same price for years. |
What do you recommend vibration control (metal or rubber)for the pre and power supply? |
I just received my SRA iso bases for my Cortese and it's power supply. I will post my findings in a few days, but what little listening I have done indicate to me that these are some of the best isolation devices you will ever find! |
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Houstonreef,
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With out a doubt the best system I found was to use Symposium Rollerblocks under both the power supply and the pre-amp boxes.
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You can find used Rollerblocks quite often on Audiogon. Make sure that you get a set with Tungsten Carbide Balls (not Chromium). Having them Cryoed takes them to another level.
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Rgds,
Larry
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Slowhand,
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Congratulations on getting the SRA's I am sure you will continue to be pleased. Do try to get one set of used Rollerblocks to try in concert with the SRA's.
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I am guessing you would end up paying between $ 250.00 - 275.00 If you do get one, please let us know how it does for you.
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Rgds,
Larry |
Got my Sauvignon Monday.
Stone stock and brand-new, I'd say it was "30%" or so better than the EE MiniMax it replaced, with main benefits being more air and wider soundstage (this says a hell of a lot for the MM).
Going to a Mullard 5AR4 and Sovtek KT66 regs took it up a level right away!
I have two sets of NOS 6SN7s - one being a $300 set of Popes from Upscale Audio - to try after I let the EH show what they can do for 100 hours or so.
Don't really need to add anything else - build quality is astounding (BIGGER than it looks in pics) and it sure is gorgeous (stainless/sheoak).
This is one piece of gear I think I'll never sell. |
Has anyone ever hear a hum emanating from the power supply after extended play time. Sounds like a transformer hum. Not a ground fault problem...nothing from the speakers, just from power supply. |
Larry,
I was wondering if the SRA products you are using with your gear were custom-made (as all SRA products are) for that particular component? I ask because Kevin usually recommends against using aftermarket feet or other isolation type balls under the gear bewteen his product since it may screw up the customed designed isolation properties of his unit.
I have both his Ohio Class bases and his CRAZ Rack and I screwed around using other feet for sh#@ts and giggles and it never helped.
Frank |
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Hi Frank,
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Good to hear from you.
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I have had Kevin make up 4 SRA stands specific pieces in my system (even one under my Teres TT). I bought his standard stands and none were Ohio Class.
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Kevin told me specifically that Rollerblocks and other devices were not necessary and most like would detract from the performance of his stands. He told me of several reviewers and other customers who had tried using other products in conjunction with the SRA stands and how they did not help, but actually lessened the performance of his stands.
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Kevin was great to work with and has a great product line that I recommend whole-heartedly. In my system the Rollerblocks have always enhance the sound whether it be with or without KevinÂs stands.
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I would recommend to anyone that they pick a used pair of Rollerblocks (with Tungsten Carbide balls) and try them under each piece of equipment and see what they get. Worse case scenario would be that you turn around and sell them for more or less what you paid, but I am guessing that they will stay with your system and you will buy more sets.
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I have tried a bunch of different Âfeet and interfaces and none came close to Rollerblocks. I have yet to have a friend try them without them going out and buying more sets.
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I will say that I have never tried Rollerblocks under any Ohio Class stands, but I look forward to hearing your results should you decided to try the Rollerblocks.
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I hope that helps.
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Rgds,
Larry
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Thanks Larry. I'm glad you are getting good results with your combination. In my case, I know this may be sacrilege, but I am completely happy with my sound right now (I know, I know, like our Michigan weather, if I wait 10 minutes that can change) so if it ain't broke . . . .
I have heard good things about the Roller Balls but I bought Kevin's CRAZ Rack so I wouldn't have to deal with pucks and balls etc., and I am lucky enough that I haven't had to. I tried putting a few different things under components on the CRAZ Rack and it always (except in one weird case) made things worse. One time, I had a short in my reference IC between my amp and preamp so I was forced to put in a bright sounding IC I had on hand while it was being repaired. To calm that brightness down I put some Harmonix footers under my Reimyo CDP and it produced the intended effect (toned down the brightness) while my normal IC was out. Then again, this was the rack not an SRA custom made base.
With my Ohio Class bases, nothing has ever helped between the component and the base so I've left well enough alone. I guess we all love to tinker but I have now learned my lesson on that front. The way Kevin explained it to me was that something like a roller ball would introduce different degrees of movement antithetical to the objective of the SRA base. In your case, maybe the combination is producing something or acting like a tone control like my Harmonix footer that you like. Hey, if you like it, that's all that matters.
Take care and enjoy that nice TT!!!! |
Price gone up so fast! Isn't coincidental when someone is starting to promote the cables? That's why I love Mick... he sticks to the same price for years. After clarifying with Brad from Revelation Audio Labs, $169 was the previous, introductory price. Also, the conductor gauge used is much heavier than the "regular" 3-pin umbilical, hence the raw materials cost is higher for the Supratek cable. The price ($199 for 0.5m and $229 for 1m) includes free Global Express Mail (EMS) shipping. I have ordered a cable. |
Hello Frank,
I have to agree with you on the SRA bases. I trust Kevin and his excellent designs. I too will leave well enough alone with my SRA bases. I have learned to trust Mick with his tube choices in the Supratek preamp also. I am done with tube rolling. I am having too much fun listening to music now. |
I just ordered 1 meter umbilical cord from Revelation Audio at the price of $269 including shipping for my Chardonnay.
For those of you who want a cheap and good solution for vibration control, I can recommend Nordost Pulsar Points for the power supply and preamp. Matches the look of the Supratek very well and provides a nice improvment soundwise. The rubberfeet make it sound bad whatever you put under it. |
Nice system Slowhand. Yes, Kevin's products have been a Godsend for my system. I balked and agonized for a while over spending so much on the CRAZ Rack. Now that I have, it is one thing I WILL NEVER SELL. I've been fortunate enough to have had some good isolation products/racks in my system or in for review or audition, but his have always come out on top for my tastes and preferences.
How do you like that Granite CDP?
Frank |
Well, I have been living with my new SRA iso bases for a few days now and m impressions are as follows.
I liken the sound to a jazz band that has been together for so long that each member knows exactly what the others are about to do next, taking on a very "tight" sound. That is what the iso bases that are under my Cortese and Berning amp sound like. They "tighten" up the music giving bass a very powerful, but controlled sound. Mid-range has a "you are there" feel to it. Vocalists seem to be right in the room with you. Highs sparkle, but are not bright. The sound takes on a more "live" feel to it. A couple of things that I really like is that the soundstage on most recordings seems wider (far beyond the speakers). Depth also improves on some recordings. I have a percussion cd by an artist named Mino Cinelu. This is a great reference cd that I use a lot. With the iso bases I was amazed at the power that the percussion took on. You could not only get a feel for the size of the drums Mino is hitting, but you can get a good idea of the size of the room that the recording took place in. That is really cool! I could go on and on, but I am sure that you get the idea that I love these bases. I highly recommend them for use under the Suprateks. I don't pretend to know how they work, but they DO work. I hope to isolate all of my equipment with the VR3 bases. |
Has anyone got the Mondeuse amps yet? |
Hello Slowhand
I heard from Mick last week.
He did some improvements on the Mondeuse & was waiting for some parts from the U.S.that he just recieved.
He was going to work on them this week.
Just knowing that the Mondeuse continuies to evolve and improve before the final release ..
Is a statement of Mick's high standards he has set for his products.
I will let you's know when I recieve them! |
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. |
Has anyone ever hear a hum emanating from the power supply after extended play time. Sounds like a transformer hum. Not a ground fault problem...nothing from the speakers, just from power supply. I recently started getting a hum from my Syrah power supply, it is loudest when I first turn it on, and it becomes a little quieter after warm-up, so it might not be the same problem you are having. I haven't had time to look into it yet, thought I might try changing tubes. The hum goes away if the umbilical is not connected. |
Sorlowski-
I just placed and order with Brad at Revelation Audio for a 1 meter CryoSilver Reference umbilical for my Chenin. 1 meter for this is now 269.00.
As for power to the Chenin I have been using the Silent Source Signature Power Cable and been very happy. Up until a few weeks ago the Chenin was run via this directly into a dedicated 20A wall outlet. Now the Chenin's power is first passed through the Walker Audio Velocitor plugged into the wall with it's own Silent Source Sig. PC.
The improvements to the soundstage with the Walker have been impressive - much like finding just the right 6SN7 tube pair.
I am anxious to see what happens with the replaced umbilical. I would imagine if nothing else, the noise floor should drop a bit more. The twisted wires on the stock ubilical don't have much shielding. |
Hi Slipknot, Just had a look at your incredible system. There are some changes from the last time I looked. By the sound of it, your Chenin has kepted pace with those changes... If there ever was a testimony for Micks phono stages,this is it... |
Stilkskin-
Thank you for the kind words. The Chenin is in fine company. The phono stage in Mick's preamp brings out the best in the Magic Diamond cart for sure. I have finally begun to experiment with some different 6SN7 tubes and am really getting an education in the various attributes they offer. |
I recently realized a significate leap forward in musical performace with my modest system.It really knocked me on my ass. Unknown to me all this time I was not hearing what my system was really capable of directly due to cables in my tone arm and the rest of my system. V.P.I.s new Signature tone arm wired with Nordost Valhalla was the first step to something I was not fully expecting.Not by a long shot. From there it was only logical to carry on with more Nordost wire from my turntable to my Chenin. I bought a used burnt in pair of Nordost Frey interconnects to check out....OH MY GOD....Over the past three years I have tried out many different brands of moderate to expensive interconnects and speaker wire. Looking back, compared to what I have experienced with Nordost, all the others had a out right dismal effect.This tiny fragile signal from my cartridge to the phono stage was distroyed by the other brands of wire. I understand Nordost makes direct replacement wire from their new line including Valhalla for other brands of tonearms other then V.P.I.. This mono filiment wire takes an extraordinary long time to burn in.For those who do not like what Nordost wire does,you have not heard it fully burnt in,thats for sure. Nordost manufatures a cable cooker available to distributors and dealers.It will do tonearm wire, interconnets and speaker wire. Its needed believe me. You really what to find out how good your system is? Look into this..... |
Any further Malbec Impressions? I'm dying to find out how it sounds, especially paired with a Chenin Preamp. |
