" I placed 2 e-mails to Mick weeks ago with no response"
That's odd? I have correspondence with him last Sunday. Everytime I sent an e-mail to him, I got a response right away.
BTW, I believe the Syrah preamp does not exist anymore. It is now called a Chenin. Same linestage superiority as the Syrah but with better phono section ( taken from the Cortese) as what Flacre mentioned a few post above. |
The latest Supratek preamps fitted with HT-Bypass have a switch on the top plate, near the back of the preamp, in-between the two transformer covers. By-pass only works when the switch is engaged and the Supratek doesn't even need to be powered on.
This most recent iteration of HT-Bypass on Supratek's is flawless. It provides ZERO gain - ZERO attenuation. |
Its possible that the HT pypass is just an input w/unity gain. Probably accessed just by rotating the input selector to the correct position. OTOH, the Syrah does have the capability to have 2 toggles, one on the front right and other on the rear left. |
Does anybody have the Syrah with the HT bypass? Where is the switch located, is it on the front, or the back of the preamp? When placing an order do you place a deposit on it or pay for it up front? I placed 2 e-mails to Mick weeks ago with no response. I hate to call him because he must be very busy. Maybe that is why I have not heard from him. |
Aibo, since no one's answering your questions, I'll try. I don't have neither the Cortese or the Ayre K1x, so take this with a grain of salt. I have listen to both in my co-worker's system briefly. They are two different preamplifier, the COrtese is warm and smooth, not as much detail and a speed as the Ayre. The ayre doesn't make everything golden like the Cortese, but it's gotta have the blackest background and the most transparent of any pre I have ever heard. If I had the funds, I would try to audition the Ayre, a very overlooked pre. As with any component, system matching and auditioning is very important. |
I´ve tried all the rectifiers we were talking about : Mullard GZ32, GZ37 and GZ34. I´ve tried also the Bendix 6106 Red Bank.
IMHO the best of all, the absolute king in rectifiers is the Philips Miniwatt GZ34, metal base from the 50´s. Combined with Sylvania 6F6G and Kend Rad 6SN7GT NAVY makes a beautiful big sound full of detail and subtlety. |
I have a Cortese that uses 6J5's in the linestage. I've had good experience (detail, dynamic, without giving up too much warmth) with Sylvania 6J5GT/G NOS, GZ37 as rectifier and Sylvania 6L6WGB or C as regulators. One of my 6J5s is slightly microphonic and before I hunt more down I was wondering if anyone else experimented with rolling 6J5s in a Cortese? |
Hello all:
I feel humbled and extremely privileged to soon be joining such an august fraternity as the posters on this thread which I've read avidly for many months. Mick emailed today and advised that the Syrah I ordered around Christmas last year was ready for shipping. Only it's no longer a Syrah but a Chenin - same line stage but the phono stage has some tricks from the Cortese. I'm so looking forward to getting the pre amp I can barely type. To quote the King: " My hands are shakin' and my knees are weak ... Who do you thank when you have such luck? ... Uhh, I'm all shook up". More will follow once I receive the Chenin. |
Have anyone here ever compare any of the SupraTeks to the Ayre K1-X? In my system the Ayre was head and shoulders above preamplifiers in the likes of ML 32, CJ premier 16ls, and the Hovland in A/B comparisons. |
Stiltskin,
Thanks for letting me know, I really appreciate it! I believe that I am next in line (or batch) when you receive the golden news from Mick. At present, I already completed collecting at least two sets of the various tubes which the Syrah requires (6sn7, 5881, 6106, 6f6g, 6gk5, 6v6, 5ar4, 5842/417a etc.) of the brands owners of the Supratek talk about here on this thread.
I'm cool! In fact the wait gave me time to finish my other projects (two 3 cubic foot 12 inch driver-sealed subwoofer, Balance power isolation transformer with dc supressor, and tweaking my Teres 255 to the currently available upgrades). But I am not being honest if I say that the wait doesn't bother me! I am very anxious/excited to be part of the Supratek experience to say the least.
Oh well, the wait continues......something to look forward to...life is good!!! |
Hello Amandarae, I put an order in for a syrah on december 21 2003... No word yet. I have faith in the man... Cool out...It will arrive... Soon! |
Amandarae,
I placed my order early Dec. Mine is a 220v version,so this may be the reason for the faster turnaround. I hope yours will be ready really soon. Good luck! |
Dilly,
When did you order your Chardonnay if I may ask? |
Hi, I too oredered a Chardonnay together with a friend a few months back. Mick just mailed me saying the units are being run-in now. Wow!!
Can someone tell me if you can buy better tubes from Mick directly other than the stock. My listening preferences leans towards a bit of warmth with dymanic,detailed sound with good low-end attack as my speakers reach down to 18Hz. I will be using the Chardonnay with a Mcintosh SS amp.This is my first venture into tubes , so my experience is limited. Which tubes
will be best?
Thanks. |
Thanks much JAZZDUDE!
....so the waiting game continues...... |
tim,
I bought like most without hearing the product. My system has become alive. I now have the right cabling for my system and I just mavel at how good the music is. |
Jazzdude
.
I think I remember that you ordered a Cabernet. Once you have everything settled and some hours on it, please let us know how it compares with the other Supratek models you have heard.
What tube compliment does it carry and what are you using in lieu of the stock tubes ?
. |
I just got my preamp last week and I ordered it the middle of November. |
Anybody receive their new Syrah/Chardonnay yet? If so, kindly mention the time when you ordered. I place my order for the Syrah early January(I think?). I know, not long enough yet but just want to "gauge" where I stand in the pecking order.
thanks |
I can't believe audiophiles are buying preamps without auditioning them. After everything I have read on this website about letting your ears make the decision. I have to admit I am new to this hobby, and have recently purchased a pair of Heron i's. I have an amp on the way, and thought I might have picked out a preamp. I was looking at the VTL 5.5, but after reading all the positive responses to this thread I don't know if that is the right decision anymore. I quess I will send an e-mail to Mick inquring about this preamp, because if I don't I may never forgive myself. LOL.
TIM |
Clipsal
I am useing the Syrah, and not the Sauvignon. I am useing
the W.E.350B along with the Sylvania metal base 6SN7W, and the Bendix Redbank 6106 as the rectifier.
This combo has dynamics in spades, and the bass which had
been MIA with 5881's 6L6, etc... comeing from my Totem Mani II is simply amazeing. Very deep, tight, and well defined. I haven't tried the 6F6G but, the results should be simular based on what's being said about them. I have not tried them becouse Mick has not recommended useing them, If you run tubes that he says no to useing, what is that going to do to your warranty? Something to consider. He did in an e-mail tell me that 350B's are ok, just too expensive.
If you are after a more "tubelike" midrange tho, the KT-66
is a gorgeous performer here, but you will trade off some of the dynamics, and bass control that the 350, or 6F6G's (?) provide. The KT-66 along with the Tung-sol round plate is an excellant combo, especially for vocals and acoustic music.
I also like the 350B with the tung-sol round plate. You get the superior performance of the 350B, with a bit of
organic, or human touch to it, as opposed to the straight-
forward dynamics of the Sylvania's.
Sorry if my descriptions are on the weak side, I am no re-viewer by any stretch, but I am a pretty good listener tho
and I like to try and help if I can.
I would also like to add here, a VERY large thank you to Mr. Slowhand for starting this very remarkable thread. Without it I would still be listening thru mudd. Although I would have a hell of a lot more $ in my saveings account thank you very much.
And also thank you to the other Guru's, BWhite, Fiddler,
Tubegroover, etc... And the YODA of tube knowledge and info. MR. Ecclectique who have provided so much to all of us quiet types out here at no charge.
CharlieE |
Clipsal,
.
I would suggest that you send Bob Malecki an email and ask him to keep on the lookout for a good pair (almost) NOS Tungsol 6SN7's and to let you know when he finds them. He just told me that in all his years that he has only come across 2 pairs of what he thought to be true NOS Tungsol's. The Tungsol’s that he sent to me had readings of 2700/2800. I will be listening to them this weekend for the first time and post what I hear compared to the Neotron's (best 6SN7’s so far) that I got from Bob have been listening to for the last 2 months or so. |
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. |
Hi,
If the Sauvignon bass is too deep with the 6F6G & Ken Rad Black Glass VT-231 combination. Do any of you believe that a Sylvania VT-231 & 6F6G would make a dynamic combination. ie. All the strengths of great detail (Sylvania) with the deep bass of the 6F6G.
If the Sylvania is plausible in this scenario. Any particular of of Sylvania VT-231/6SN7 type of tube one should be looking out for. There are so many different variations of this tube.
It's just that Tung Sol Round Plates are still very difficult to get hold of, even from Bob at TubeSeller (Thanks for the tip Cello, thats where I purchased the Ken Rads from about a months ago).
Hence the thought of a Sylvania & 6F6G combination. Would this work ?
Cheers |
I got my cabernet yesterday. Mick shipped on the 4th and I got it on the 8th, so that was pretty fast delivery. Let me tell you just a bit about the cabernet. It is the linestage only version of the grange. The normal tube compliment is 6j5, 101D, 5881, and gz34. Note that the 6j5 is a single triode tube and one half of a 6sn7. Because I have so many 6sn7's, I asked Mick to wire my cabernet for the 6sn7. It only uses one triode in the 6sn7 but the left and right sockets are wired to use different triodes. So I can swap 6sn7 tubes between sockets to make sure that each triode in a tube can be used. Best I can tell there are only 2 gain stages in the Cabernet and it does not invert phase unless you do it with a phase switch
The other signal tube is the 101D. Mick ships the preamp with the TJ101D, this tube has a mesh plate structure that is built kind of like shredded wheat cereal. The TJ101D has 2 getters which are perpendicular to the mesh structure. Overall the TJ101D construction looks very good. Besides the tennis-ball shape and the pinout it doesn't bare a lot of physical similarity to the WE101D. Electrically the TJ101D may be very similar to the WE101D but construction-wise it looks like its own tube design instead of a copy.
The power supply seems to weigh about 40lbs by itself. This preamp has the rectifier and regulator tubes in the power-supply. The Sauvignon I got from Mick last year only had the rectifier in the power supply. The preamp did not ship with a power cord. Not a big deal but those in the market to buy a Supratek preamp should plan on picking up a power cord also.
Mick is still shipping the same remote control with his preamps. Has anyone tried replacing this thing with one of those programmable universal remotes? You know the remotes that look like PDA's.
Last year Mick shipped the preamp and power supply together in one of those FedEx 25kg boxes. It was well packed then. This year Mick shipped the preamp and power supply seperately in their own 25kg boxes. They are really well packed now.
I prefer a minimalist design and my preamp configuration relfects that. There is only one set of inputs, rca and xlr outputs, volume control, balance control with a bypass switch, and a gain selector on the back of the preamp. Of course there is no source selector, no tape loop, no phase switch, no mono, no mute, etc.
I told Mick early on that I had bought 10 pair of NIB WE101D for use in the preamp. Mick builds the preamp to be auto-biasing and although he builds it for the TJ101D he made doubly certain that it would auto-bias with the WE101D also. He delayed shipping over a week to make certain it was right. I really appreciate that.
This preamp is supposed to have up to 30db of gain.
I have not had a chance to listen to the preamp yet. It will be a couple of weeks till I get to do that. I'll be sure to let everyone know how it sounds in the upcoming weeks. |
Lisbon,
In my system I have found the Tung-sol 5881 to sound more on the warm side of bass. Good definition, but not the rock solid bass that you just feel in your gut. If I am using my Ken-rad's then I prefer the Tung-sol 5881's. I find the 6f6g's to be overkill with the Ken-rads, but with my Tung-sol round plates I love the 6f6g's! By the way, if you don't already have a copy or Brian Bromberg's CD "Wood", go out and get one. He plays a 300 year old upright bass that was made in Italy and with the 6f6g's the bass will rock your foundation. Man I love the hobby! |
Hi again guys
Acording to the previous messages it seems that the 6F6G influences bass more than everything else. It gets deeper and stronger - correct? Well, I really do not need MORE bass. But TIGHTER bass would be much apreciated. Can you be a more specific on the bass improvement using 6F6G comparing to stock tubes and/or Tung-Sol 5881?
On 02-24-04 I asked this question and a couple more. I really need a word of advise here so I will ask again:
"For those who already tried the 6F6G I would like to know a bit more as for sound. How do they compare with (1) stock KT-66 and (2) Tung-Sol 5881 as for tight bass (less boomy)
sweet highs (less sibilant), emotional presentation (instead of clinical) and air"
Thank you very much.
Lisbon
|
.
Slowhand
.
We will hit another milestone when we get to March 23rd, which will make it 2 years ago since you first started this great thread. Congrats & Thanks to you for getting this going and making us all aware of Supratek and Mick’s incredible pre-amps.
.
Best Regards Cello (Larry) |
Well, I've got my 6F6G(st)s and I have Ken-rad and Tungsol 6SN7s. Now if Mick gets me my replacement umbilical I can give them a whirl in my Syrah. Note- I had to have one of the 6F6s replaced. Plugged it into a small Dared mono that I have to start burning it in, walked out of the room to let it warm up, and came back to a cherry-red tube, with smoke coming out of the base!! No flames, but they were imminent. Got it unplugged, cooled off, and fired up the mono w/another tube set. It worked fine, but I am quite glad it wasn't my Syrah that got lightly toasted. Lesson learned, never leave a new tube unattended when firing it up the first time. Any tube can be damaged in transit. |
Clipsal,
I came to the same conclusion on the 6F6G and the Ken-Rad combo in my Syrah. The bass did seem overly strong. I am using the Tung-Sol round plates with the 6F6G and find this to be a very pleasing combo. Bass is still strong and powerful, but it does not overwhelm the mids and highs. Deep strong bass is definitly a charactaristic of the 6F6G.
Looks like we broke 1000 posts. I was away on vacation, so I missed the 1000 mile marker. |
Clipsal
.
Bob Malecki at Tubeseller.com is an excellent source of 6SN7's. He is not cheap by any standards, but honest. He specializes only in 6SN7's.
You can ask Bob to find a pair of NOS Tungsol Black Glass Round Pate 6SN7's and he will let you know as soon as he finds a good pair. He also tests all of his tubes prior to shipping and labels the test results on each tube.
Email him directly at tubeseller.com or go to his website www.tubeseller.com
The NOS Tungsols from Bob might cost in the $ 200.00 - 250.00 range (USD). The NOS Tungsols are quite expensive but well worth it. You also might find them cheaper, but I prefer knowing that I am getting from a trusted sourc\e and that they excellent tubes. Over time, the extra cost of NOS means little when you get great long lasting tubes.
I found that NOS tube take 2-300 hours to reach their potential. I noticed remarkable differences after 100 and 200 hours of use.
.
Good Luck and Enjoy the process
. |
Okay,
I've finally just a received a pair of Sylvania 6F6G tubes for the regulator and have had the system with the Sauvignon (Cortese Line Stage) running for around 2 hours now.
The Verdict: The system has not yet blown up, which is a good sign. The sound is little beefier, with certain instruments being brought out a little more. The extra deep bass maybe just a little too deep with the Ken Rads also plugged into the pre-amp. I suppose a more comprehensive listening test, with adaquate break-in time may make a difference.
Rectifier: Mullard GZ34
Regulator: Sylvania 6F6G with green letters
6SN7 : Ken Rad VT-231 Black Glass
Any thoughts as to this combination ? The Tung Sol Round Plates might make a better combination with the 6F6G. Although having said that, the Tung Sols are almost impossible to acquire here in Australia. |
Artar's response to reading this thread should also say something about the interest and opinions collected here over the years.......this is a "good" thing, no? |
Jyprez, I think most of us got the point that Artar was giving his impressions of these two preamps after "reading" the posts in this thread. He simply was presenting a synopsis which succinctly described the differences between these two units.
Too bad you didn't get it! |
Jyprez,
I guess my rambling can be compared to the one-hand-clapping koan, which I am still trying to fathom. Koans and mathematical puzzles have never been my strong suit, but neither has playing a musical instrument or a host of other endeavors, like choosing really musically satisfying components that play together in a very synergistic fashion.
I am still fumbling around trying to figure out whether the Supratek is right for me. There's no doubt that it's made a lot of people happy on this b-board. But there's the cost to consider, $5,000 for the Cortese, the hot ticket that has captured my fancy. And then there is the support and warranty issues. If Mick decides he has had enough with smelling solder all day and has grown weary of handling silver wires hour after hour, then what will someone like me do, a bloke who plans to keep his unit running until hell freezes over, when a wire falls out of position or a resister sheds its mortal coil? It's all ambiguous, if you know what I mean?
Then there is the issue of tube rolling. Like a koan in itself, the term still evades my full comprehension. (Thank god we don't have to roll capacitors!)
So you see it's a metal exercise for me as I try to figure out if the Cortese will find a new home in my small house. Until then, I feel a need to finish reading the rest of the postings here to better understand the Supratek, and maybe myself.
|
Ok you're right Artar1, it was not a review just the most detailed (but eloquent) description of a sound never heard that I have ever seen. |
Great interconnects for the Supratek... I've owned many -
On a recommendation from Asa many years ago, I've come to prefer the Audio Note's (AN-Vz, KSL-LP1) CD to Pre, followed by high(er) end NBS interconnects to the amp. That combo has always produced great results no matter what other components I use. Today, I use Siltech Compass Lake followed by NBS Monitor 0 from the Supratek to the amp.
I do not believe that having a Supratek dictates a particular interconnect be used. Anything will work in that application. It's mostly a matter of your personal tastes which determine what interconnect is best for you & your system. |
Hi Cello, The best power cord I have found for the Supratek's is the Moray James PWR 1.5. The manufacturer has recently changed his design and claims it would be cost prohibitive to continue producing the 1.5 in small lots for those who request it. I have had his upgraded version (a PWR 2.5) for a number of months and find it to be NOT very good in this application - or any other.
The Manufacturer has sent me an even newer version of the PWR 2.5 with modifications to make it similar to the PWR 1.5 - but it has not yet arrived. So I do not have a comment on that yet.
The only problem with this manufacturer is that the designs keep changing. In Fact, I wouldn't be too certain that if I purchased a new PWR 1.5 today, if it would be the same cord I have had for the past year.
Sorry I wasn't more helpful on this. |
BWhite,
.
Did you ever settle on what you think to be the best PC for the Cortese ? |
Has anyone come up with a great interconnect (RCA) to be run from a CD source to a Cortese (or Syrah) ?
What would be the closest you would put 2 Cortese (Syrah) pieces to each other ?
. |
Got it Ecclectique! Thanks again!
Cheers...... |
Hey Abe, Good score! most everthing on the list can be used with the exception of the 2a3 DTH triodes and all of the miniature 9 pin 12a?7 family of tubes,807's,oda regulators and the 807. |
Ecclectique,
He was referring to me and a recent post of mine. |
Ecclectique,
Much thanks for the valuable info. Reason for asking is because I had a really fortunate day today. A friend of mine who works at the University (Southern Cal)gave me a big box of tubes which are remnants of the tubes (electronic shop they had)in storage since the 70's. My score are as follow (all NOS, most with boxes).
2- RCA 2A3
4- KenRad 6V6GT/G
2- KenRad 6F6 (the metal ones)
2-GE 6sn7GTB
2-KenRad 6sn7 Clear Glass
2-RCA 6L6 Metal
2-Sylvania 6sn7GTA Green Lettering Chrome Top
2-CBS Hytron 6SN7GTB
2- GE 5881 Brown Base
4- Telefunken 12AX7
4- Telefunken 12AU7
8- Amperex Bugle Boy 12AU7
2- Amperex Bugle Boy 12AX7
and lots of 811, 0DA's, 807 etc.
Since I am waiting for my Syrah, I like to know which I can use as replacements of the tubes stated on the website.
Thank you and I really appreciate your help!
Abe |
Tube rolling results:
.
First off, thanks ever so much to Ecclectique, Bwhite, Asa, and Jazzdude for all your help and advice in recommending NOS tubes for my Cortese.
.
The results of the NOS tubes have been nothing short of stunning with regards to the enhancement of the bass control, sound staging (expansion of and delineation), detail without giving up warmth / emotion, more life like sounding instruments, and much more musicality. I loved the Cortese with the stock tubes and now with the NOS in place and broken in, the listening has become an overwhelming and tireless experience.
.
I rolled the following tubes into the line stage section of my Cortese:
Nos Neotron 6SN7's
Nos Mullard EL 37's
NOS 5AR4 Philips Miniwatt Holland Metal Base NOS 1957 Tubes
They were all quite expensive, but in the end well, well, worth every penny.
.
I just ordered a pair of NOS Tungsol 6SN7 Black Glass round plates and will let you all know how they stack up against the Neotron 6SN7's after they arrive and are broken in.
It took a good solid 200 hours of continuous running time for the NOS tubes to fully break in before they really showed what they could add to the sound (EL 37's took a particularly long time).
For those of you rolling NOS, give them a bunch of hours before evaluating. The improvement from break in is huge. The value for the extra money invested in NOS is clearly available.
.
|
Hello Jyprez. Whom would you be referring to sir? |
Hello Abe. The 6v6 is a beam tetrode similiar to the 6F6 and will work as regulators in the supratek syrah, however, I doubt it will sound better than a 6l6, my experience with any of the metal tube types has always been a disappointment. The early 6L6's and 6F6's were metal tubes as well.Give them a try and see what you think. |
Jyprez,
It was not a review. |
To Ecclectique!!!!
Can the 6V6 (Kenrad VT-107 I think with metal body) be a replacement of the 6L6/5881 tubes?
Thanks!
Abe |
Well this is rich. Now Audiogoners are giving reviews talking about the subtle differences in sound between preamps they have never heard because of "vicarious experiences" they have had as a result of reading this thread!!! |
