Preamp Deal of the Century

Fiddler,
I appreciate your statement, and actually I'n not surprized about your isolation findings, makes perfect sense to me.
Hopefully, I'm gonna get a Supratek phonostage , Mick is building for me, and I'll try your method.

Concerning the glare... I have never heard of it... I am not using cones, just a granite plinth under my sauvignon, and I use Kimber Select 1036 interconnects in my system. I think interconnects are the most important upgrade and you really need top of the class with supratek components to let them perform without compromises. After going to Kimber I couldn't believe that my system could sound that transparent and yet sweet... Its like there is a small brain in there that determines which element to make sweet (vocals) and which to make bright (cymbals). I cant find any sound signature... Everything depends on the source and the recording mastering. I really love my sauvignon :)

I have found that the Zu Varial interconnects and Zu Ibis speaker cables work very well with my Chenin. I have no glare whatsoever, but my Chenin is modded to use 2C22 tubes instead of the often microphonic 6SN7. The 2C22s have no detectable microphonics whatsoever, you can tap on them, rattle the shelf ... nothing. I think microphonics may be a big reason for the glare sometimes heard in systems using 6SN7 tubes, hence the reason improved isolation has such an effect.

Ait - you have a good point - although my experience is that isolation under everything - tubes and SS - (even power supplies for TT motors) make a difference as do cables and power supplies - when you drop in the new cable and it is bright ( but more detailed )it may well be isolation or power supply filtering that is needed to solve it rather than another cable - none of us will will ong enough to try out all the permuations of products on offer but it does keep you off the streets - I have ended up with ball bearings for isolation, ribbon cable and actively sheilded power cables with bybees + v caps and alps RK50 pot on cortese - it all sounds pretty good but who knows if another approach would not sound better

Cheers

I have been using SRA VR3 iso bases under my Supratek Cortese preamp and power supply for years with no sign of glare. Just pure sweet music. I use the Berning ZH270 as my amp and no glare issues from it either.

I recently pulled all my more expensive interconnects and replaced them with Acoustic Research Master Series interconnects. The sound is better and the cost for 4 pair of interconnects came to a total of less than $100.

Glad to see the thread continues.

Pjwd, I am not sure adding hardwood under or over the metal plats is a good idea. According to Mick, the metal surface functions as heat sink. To prevent the metal plats from vibration - I place a small wet special sponge (the type becomes hard when it dries up) on the top and another small piece underneath. At least it gives me a solid sound when I knock the metal part.

Do I hear a difference? Well I can't even tell the difference between different cables. But in this case I think there's better control and clarity. Didn't really bother to do the AB test.

BTW, my AB test is the most reliable way. My better half will switch whatever cable, cones or tweaks without my knowledge in a few weeks or months after my initial craze over it dies. So far I can tell I didn't detect any difference when between cheaper speaker cables, bi-wiring, power conditioner except when the power amp connected to it.

Wonder if I should just stuck to mini compos?

I just found one of the Phillips E180F(SQ) tubes broken on my Grange. Any recommendations as to a substitute pair? Or should I stay with the same brand? I was happy with the sound but did find it on the noisy side. Good tube sources of late?

Thanks,

Crubio

Chelvam - you could be right - the hardwood would conduct heat and transfer to air but not as efficiently as metal - if you really wanted to lose heat better if top plate was black and well ventilated- I have actually since changed bottom plate to a sandwich panel of aluminium sheet with foam core due to rack height limits and new tubes but I suspect the hardwood was better - life is too short to AB everything - in any case a stiffer base plate and improved footers help

Cheers,

Just to chime in. I am currently using a Supratek Syrah with my highly modified (capacitor & wiring upgrades including the amazing rhBackert proprietary dynamic linearity circuity mods)pair of Conrad Johnson Premier 8A Monoblocs driving Magnepan 20Rs and it is a match made in heaven. I have tried a lot of highly reviewed and regarded and very high $$$ preamps all great but the Supratek so far is the best I have found in my system. For what it's worth.

Bbro,

I had the same experienced. I thought the Supratek synergized very well with planars and electrostatics, be it driven by SS or tube amps. That was my impressions when I had my Martin Logans and Magnepans.

regards,

Abe

Anyone noticed the NEW Supratek website?? ...a good read and nicely presented. Good news is I hear some products are available again by special(patient) order ;-))

Regards,

Awesome! I would love a Dual Cabernet at some point... Using a Chardonnay right now.

I much prefer him 'slightly in business' rather than 'out of business'.

Hi, Is it normal to hear the thump from speakers when you tap the Chardonnay preamp body. I have adjusted the gain to the lowest but it is still there and the gain switches don't make a difference. Help.

Thanks
ST

One or both of your 6sn7 tubes could be microphonic. If so completely normal.

Thanks guys. I managed to identify the problem tube, i.e ONE 6SN7 but now I am having a new problem when I turn the mute switch on. I am getting some sort of "whishh,whooosh" sound like you get when you tune your shortwave radio. Help, please. i already emailed to Mick and still waiting for his expert opinion.

Have you tried it with no source connected? Do you hear it when using phono only? Is it a "bleed through" or constant magnitude in sound.

From the manual: " You may notice some "bleed through" of the tuner or other auxiliaries when the phono is in operation. This is because of the very high gain of the phono stage and also because shielded wire is deliberately not used for the other inputs because of its sound degrading qualities...."

No, I only use them to connect to my SACD player. Mine is the Chardonnay. ( My mistake for not identifying the product earlier) I have no other equipments in my room. Initially, I thought it was the Amp but that was ok. In fact when I use the HT bypass there is no sound. But the good thing is there's absolutely no noise whatsoever when the music is on unless I tap or even a touch causes the thump which now I know as a microphonics and Mick said it could be good for music.

Just testing the waters, is anyone interested in buying a Cabernet Dual? The unit was one of the last manufactured by Mick and is all black.

Still loving my Dual Cabernet. I'm just regretting not getting a Supratek with a built in phono now that I'm getting my feet wet on vinyl. Anybody have a sub $2k phono stage recommendation? I'm currently leaning towards the Aqvox unit, but not really committed to anything yet.

Hi Kj - I had a phono stage shoot out with cole, pathos and herron and the herron bettered the phono stage on the cortese - a bit more solidity without any loss of musicality that you might get with AR ( also tried AR ref line stage on previous time) - it was an older preloved model - might be worth pursuing on 2nd hand market

Cheers

Has anyone tried the Shuguang Treasure black bottle cv-181 in their preamp? Is it safe to use as a replacement for the 6sn7 in a Syrah? Thanks in advance.

Ira

It is just like a 6sn7 spec wise. Here is a more detail.

http://www.tnt-audio.com/accessories/shuguang_treasures_cv181_pt2_e.html

They call it a cv-181 because of the way it looks but it measures like 6sn7 so you should have no problems.
Let me know what you think of it - I also own this preamp.

I no longer have any need for the various 6SN7 tubes I found. I sold almost all of my tubes to a younger friend. He wondered what use they were. If you are interested in them, email me and I will put you into contact with him.

I use them in my Sauvignon. They are the most rounded tube I have and tried. I have tried just about all of the top rated tubes, so that is pretty good praise.

They are quiet,very linear,big soundstage,great bass,smooth mids,and extended airy highs.

Pricey, but well made and matched, IMHO

Joe

They are back

http://www.supratek.biz/

Anyone know which remote would work on the Cab Dual.

What would one look for in a replacement, codes, Etc?

Thanks

The remote control volume from my digital cable box happens to control the volume of my Dual Cabernet. Just the TV function of it though. My television is an older Philips/Magnavox. Perhaps you could find a Philips TV remote or code that might work. Good luck.

Is there anyone in the States that repairs Suprateks? According to Mick, Kevin no longer works for him. Thanks!

On his old website, Mick used to state that any competent tech could repair his units. I'm sure he would be willing to provide the tech with info/schematics.

I remember a member of Audio Asylum (Michael Samra) did some power supply repair/changes for another member. I hadn't heard about Kevin Covi leaving. Let us know what happens.

Scott Frankland at audioeng@pacbell.net or triodev8@yahoo.com
He know everything one needs to know about audio electronics.
Most other repair people i have meet look inside a Supratek unit and
run for the hills.

Last time I spoke with Kevin he said he would take units once in a while.

Good Luck

I just had my Atma-sphere MA1's updated to the latest 3.1 version (from 2.2) plus all options available have been added.

I have got to share that the current upgrades are a revelation for this amp. Wow does this amp now sing. So rich and glorious with state of the art transparency. The stage depth is jaw dropping and the images so 3D and real.

This is my first OTL amp or amp from Atma-sphere and I am taken back now realizing what I have been missing. This latest generation simply outclasses the 2.2 by a wide margin.

Yes, I am pleased to say the least. I have owned many a tube amp and this one has all of that wonderful warmth, bloom and weight combined with SET-like intimacy.

I posted my comments above on the wrong thread. Sorry, should be on this thread - Thought on OTL tube amps

Hey Dude, stay out of this thread. Just kidding with pun intended Grannyring!

I am sure these wonderful Supratek preamps would sound great with OTL amps!

i am wondering if anyone has/has heard the new versions of the preamps to compare with the old ones?

I just received new Chenin from Mick, cannot make any comments yet, it's still in the box.

I have heard the new preamps.
Not sure of the model I heard as it was a prototype but Mick said it would be the new mid priced one [Syrah?]
I hate to say it but it sounded at least as good as my Cabernet.

Can someone advise if a Supratek pre-amp can be converted from 110 VAC to 220 VAC? Mine is a Cortese in USA.

Why dont you ask directly to Mick?

And the obvious question would be can old ones be upgraded? Or, (I'm sure he doesn't want to be deluged with old stuff in the mail) can an 'upgrade pack' and instructions for a local tube-expert guy to do be purchased? Obviously not now, but its a thought. If the sound difference is substantial could be worth it. I suppose first we should see what people think about the difference. I have a Chardonnay personally.

People asked above about remotes. The remote codes are in the Logitech database, so the Harmony One will work. I love it. It replaced something like 10+ remotes. My wife says it is the best audio purchase I've made, better than my Maggie 3.6 speakers, my Pass amp, or even my Chardonnay.

I have been contemplating purchasing the Supratek grange, but cannot get an email repy from the company. I have tried three times and to no avail. does anyone know how else to contact them.

Good luck convincing Mick to build you a Grange or a Cabernet. He says they are too labor intensive and expensive to build so he decided to focus on the lower models.

Thx xiii, I would love to have one his cortese units. Maybe if i tell him that. He might responed

Just heard a Burmester 088 preamp. Has all the magic of tubes, and the strength of SS. It does not get better than this folks!

Well, you could always buy a Chenin and gradually upgrade it. I have done tons of work to mine, changing the output tube type, plate loading scheme, output transformers, bias scheme, power supply, etc. Point-to-point wiring makes it a lot easier to upgrade.

Just now working on an "ultimate" power supply upgrade for the Chenin, which I should have completed within the next week. It is a CLCLCRC design using Lundahl LL1638 low DCR chokes and all film caps. Just fits inside the Chenin PS unit! It simulates very well on PSUD-II, giving a 100x decrease in ripple noise from the stock, while also having a faster settling time. The Lundahls are dual-coil chokes, meaning they can be wired with one coil each in the + and - legs of the circuit, which should give added common mode noise reduction. I'll let you now how it sounds.

Power Supply Upgrade Completed!

Wow, it's so true that you listen to the power supply - the upgrade sounds excellent. Went from the stock values of 33uF/10H/100uF to 6.8uF/10H/47uF/10H/100uF using Mundorf Supreme/Silver oil and Solen caps and Lundahl LL1638 chokes. When I computer modeled the PS, I optimized it so that I would get the same output voltage as stock, and the upgraded unit put out 299.1V versus 300.0 from the stock; a slight tweak of the regulator adjustment pot and I was at 300.0V on both sides. The model showed ~30uV of ripple before the regulator (yes microvolts!), and ripple was undetectable on my oscilloscope, so that was accurate as well.

Way more bass slam, more body through the midrange and smoothness everywhere. The preamp sounded very good before, but it is even better now. I have a attached a snapshot of the new PS unit.

New Chenin Power Supply

Hello, I've read a couple thousand comments in this thread. I'm amazed how little chat there is about pairing an amp with various supratek pre's. Thanks for so much interesting commentary from all. This thread certainly played a major role in my decision to buy one. Just won a Chardonnay on Audiogon and now am in need of an amp. So Chardonnay, Klipshorns and about $1500 (or less) to buy an life enhancing amp. Needless to say I need an amp now... how else will I hear my new pre?

Couple possibilities on Audiogon now. Belles 150A, Audio Sector Patek, PassAleph3 (whoops, now sold).

Any help greatly appreciated.

Hi Eurekasprings,

The best amp I have ever paired with my Cortese is my Berning ZH270. This pairing is magic in my system. The sound is very fast with a beautiful liquidity. I recently had a Meitner MTR-50 in my system for a few days and it sounded good as did a Forte class A amp that a friend let me borrow. The Berning is very hard to find these days, but it is a wonderful match. Of course everything in this hobby is system dependent. Good luck, and enjoy the Chardonnay.