What do you guys thik of something like this? A multi-channel Supratek (with phono).  |
Bluebottle, this is slowhand. I have a Supratek Syrah. To answer your questions, the shipping cost me $130 to ship via Fed Ex which as I understand it is the only way Mick will ship. That price is very resonable for shipping a 48lb. piece of equipment from Australia. The customs fee was $152. The bill for that came about 6 weeks after I got the preamp. Yes the unit is supposed to handle long length ic's with no problems. The sound of the unit IS as good as everyone says! I have never enjoyed my system as much as I do now. |
Tim, my suspicions are yes and I don't know.
But I don't want to speak out of school and post any erroneous information. Send Mick an email and he usually responds within a day or two.
Warren |
fiddler, will this preamp run 6 meter interconnects ?? i have a bc-3 and it is dead quiet & runs this length with no problems. i had a ai3a once and it simply could not ??
this preamp buzz has me wondering. do you know if there are duty fees inconjunction with shipping fees. do you know ball park shipping cost to the u.s.a. 100.00, 200.00 etc...
thx, tim |
Afveep -
When I ordered mine (a chardonney) back on March 29th, Mick accepted only PayPay and/or Wire transfer. A deposit of 50% is required when you place your order. The wait is probably around 3-months or more. But couldn't tell you how it sounds - I ordered mine based on the buzz alone, and of course the looks! Good luck. |
Syrah vs. ARC Ref 1
Can anyone comment on this comparison?? Currently have the ARC preamp with Air Tight ATM3 amps. This combo is a little bright.
Would enjoy your comments.
Steve Noble |
Found this thread yesterday and have been drooling ever since...I'm currently using an ARC LS16Mk2 into a VT100Mk2 and Avalon Opus speakers. The description of the Supratek sound is very alluring. How does the ordering process work? Does Mick charge your credit card when you order or when he ships (i.e. what is your financial risk until receipt?) Can anyone comment on the sound of the Cortese vs. the Chardonney? I use only CD and SACD, so the phono stage is not important. Thanks for your input. |
Just got an email from Mick and he said he thought he would have my Supratek ready in 2-3 weeks. I will keep you guys posted.
Warren |
Hang in there guys, I ordered my Syrah before everyone started ordering them and it took 12 weeks to get mine. My point is that although I know you guys are going nuts with all this waiting I am sure Mick is doing his best with all the orders he is getting. This preamp is a pure joy to listen to, and it only gets better with time. I have never heard an audio component tht sounds so natural. By the way, when I ordered mine Mick said it would take about 3 weeks and it turned into 12 weeks, but he was working on the new Parafeed design. Mine was the first to be shipped with this design. |
Would love to, but don't need phono and the Cortese would be considerably more expensive. Otherwise I would snap it up in a heartbeat.
Warren |
Sorry you guys haven't received the Supratek's yet...
I know of someone who is selling a Cortese - I don't know the details of the unit other than the fact that its new - just received at the end of May. The current owner has had some health problems recently and its put a significant financial burden upon him, which is why he must sell. If anyone is interested in the Cortese, please let me know - I can put you in contact with the seller. It might be a fast way to get a "new" unit. |
Aloha Tennispro,
Mick is definitely for real. I have spoken with other people in Australia who sell audio equipment and Mick is well known and for real. You have to understand that this is not a company per se in the usual sense. It is one guy making all of the products himself.
Several of the guys who have received their Suprateks already have corresponded with me and they say their units sound phenomenal.
I am not concerned about Micks credibility, I was just curious if anyone else had recently been in touch with Mick and had been given a new updated timetable.
Aloha,
Warren |
I check this thread almost everyday to see if Fiddler got his yet since ordered about 5 weeks before I did. The fact that he has not disturbs me. On 6/5 I received a email response from Mick saying it would be another 2 or 3 weeks which would put my total wait at about 13 weeks. Fiddler has been waiting longer than that now.
Patrick |
Hey, has anyone who has ordered a preamp received one yet? I would like to purchase a new preamp but will wait until some of you guys receive yours so I know this company is for real. |
Fiddler - Like you and others I'm just sitting tight. Obviously none of us want to bug Mick every 15 days but I'm surprized (worried) to know you haven't heard anything yet. I was hoping to receive mine by the end of June. Doesn't look like it will happen -- what a pain in the &$@%.
I once tried counting the number of units in order just from this thread alone - I beleive it was 11 or 12. Without additional hands/help I don't think Mick can pull off the 3-month arrears. |
Anyone had any feedback from Mick lately on a timetable for your preamp?
I ordered mine Feb. 15th and haven't received it yet. I don't know if it is in the works or if Mick has even started it yet. I don't want to bug Mick, but I am curious if anyone else has received info on their order.
Warren |
I was told by Mike around the end of March and confirmed on the early of May again that he will try to finish my pre-amp around the early week of July. Now it is about four weeks away from the delivery date. After reading a few response on this thread, I am kind of nervous about getting my pre-amp on time. Any comments.
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I have been following this thread with interest, and like Mick, am Western Australian. Bwhite mentioned that Mick lived in a remote area of Western Australia - from his address he is in a suburb of Perth, a beautiful coastal city on the Swan River of about a million people (although I understand that Perth is the remotest capital city in the world).
As you have all seen, his products are beautifully made, using a local hardwood (jarrah) for the bases. I understand that he began building
electronics in the small town (fishing village) of Dongara, north of Perth.His earlier equipment was made under the name of Micrex and looked very similar. It was very reasonably priced and to me, sounded very good. I recall that Ken Kessler wrote some enthusiastic notes about it after a hifi show in Sydney some years ago.
Not too many Australians seem to have his amps and for some reason most of the interest comes from the US. I have never seen a Supatek product at a retailers over here, although I do know of some people who have his preamp and are very pleased with the results it brings.The weak AU$ against US$ is a bonus for you Yanks.I think that I am going to have to check them out and perhaps end up standing in line with you guys. |
Asa meant to address the Virtual Dynamics comment to Fiddler.I'm jumping into this thread so I can follow it for awhile. This is all very interesting. |
Thanks Bradz. To Asa again - I don't own any Virtual Dynamics PCs. I use all "Absolute Powercords", these are your basic hospital-grade powercords marketed by GTT Audio. The only exception is my "Air-Tight ATM-2" amp, it comes with a (mine did anyway) non-detachable factory powercord with a 2-prong plug. You probably have me mixed up with someone else. Sorry. |
Jewel.....Virtual Dynamics powercord. |
Asa, I don't follow you, what is a "Virtual PC"? |
Jewel, let me know how you like the Virtual PC on the Supra when you get it. Thanks. |
I just emailed Mick yesterday to ask him if the Supratek came with an IEC or a hard-wired power cord. He said IEC. (That's what I had hoped as I want to use one of my Virtual Dynamic power cords with it)
I did not ask him what the status of my unit was and he didn't mention it in his reply. I am just trying to be patient.
I had rather wait a little longer and not rush him and receive a first-class preamp.
Believe me, as soon as I receive it, I will post here and give my initial impressions and will follow-up with a second post after break-in.
Warren |
Rockhead, Fiddler & others: Infact I just sold my old preamp, meaning, I'm without a preamp altogether until the Supratek arrives. I'm lucky because I use a "Air Tight ATM-2" for an amp which allows for a line-level source i.e., CD player, directly into the amplifier using the amps left and right attenuators for volume level control -- but the sound is too thin for me for any extended or meaningful listening. I wish the old pre wasn't snapped up as quickly as it had, oh well! |
Fiddler,
If you ordered in the middle of February, you are now at about 15 weeks. Could you let us know when you receive it? I'm getting nervous and itchy about it.
Thanks,
Patrick |
I ordered mine in the middle of February. I am hoping to receive it soon. I'm sure Mick is swamped though.
Warren |
Well that's good news. My deposit was 3 days before Jewels-March 26th-and 5 or 6 weeks from May 4th puts it in the 10 to 11 week range for total wait. That's what Mick told me when I ordered. I was afraid the wait might get ridiculous. It does seem like I ordered it a million years ago.
Patrick |
On our last exchange (May 4) Mick said it would be another 5-6 weeks, maybe sooner. |
Anyone received a new Supratek from Mick lately?
I am waiting as I know several others are. |
Oh.. ya... sorry I was unclear, it will connect perfectly with the RCA cables. It's the two source signals per channel in each XLR cable (balanced) that the Supratek circuit isn't designed for. |
Yeah yeah yeah.... But what about LAST century?? I picked up a Joule Electra LA-100 for $600. Ha! |
Thanks for the response Bwhite. I am fairly new in this forum and easily confused despite having read about a million posts."If the signal is truly balanced, the Supratek cannot handle it..." Are you saying my cdp won't connect in the good old fashioned left-to-left right-to-right rca connection? |
I asked Mick to do that upgrade for me on my first preamp and unfortunately he said he couldn't. If the signal from your CDP is truly balanced, the Supratek cannot handle it - for whatever reason. |
Question. What is your opinion on asking Mick to make the CD in an XLR configuration instead of RCA's? Would it make any sonic difference? Would it be more trouble than it is worth? Am I just being rockheaded again?
Patrick |
Wsin - We're on the same boat. My deposit is dated March 29th. |
I am on a later boat, order was placed at end of March. |
Just got an email from Mick. He said my Supratek should be done within a month, but no guarantees. He is just taking them one at a time in his order book.
That's okay with me. I think Mick is double and triple checking things to eliminate any problems. Being a one man show I am sure the temptation is there to knock them out as quickly as you can to maximize your profit, but quality always suffers as a result.
I had rather wait an additional month and not have problems than to get my pre right away and deal with any fixes.
Anyway, I have many other tweaks I am in the middle of to keep me busy. |
Just got an email from Mick. He said my Supratek should be done within a month, but no guarantees. He is just taking them one at a time in his order book.
That's okay with me. I think Mick is double and triple checking things to eliminate any problems. Being a one man show I am sure the temptation is there to knock them out as quickly as you can to maximize your profit, but quality always suffers as a result.
I had rather wait an additional month and not have problems than to get my pre right away and deal with any fixes.
Anyway, I have many other tweaks I am in the middle of to keep me busy. |
any opinions on the new Audio research MKII AB listening
tests to the Supratek preamps. I amusing rowland amps
and proac speakers
Thanks
Jeff |
I'm in the same boat as Fiddler. Can't wait to get the Syrah and see how it sounds on my new Piega P10s. Should be fun times ahead!
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I had my remote "fixed" finally and it unfortunately makes some noise. Even when other remotes are used in the same room, the new Supratek remote chats. Perhaps its the board or the way the remote was implemented by the repair guy that causes the noise - I don't know. Regardless of the little noise, I am happy. At least I don't have to get up and walk across the room every time my wife gets on the phone!! :) |
I am waiting on my Chardonnay. I ordered it the middle of February. Mick said 8 to 10 weeks at that time. It has been 10 weeks so I hope it is not too much longer. I will report as soon as I have a chance to give it an initial listen. |
any new user of this greatest preamp of the century?we need your latest report and advice. thanks
Tim |
Got a note back from Mick on the Cortese. It has no remote option with the transformered 24-point volume control. He says all Corteses come with manual gain control. |
Arooj - Scott has talked to Mick and plans to provide service to Supratek owners in the California Bay Area (near San Francisco). I believe Mick has other recommended service agents elsewhere in the US.
When I engaged Scott he immediately agreed to do the work for the Supratek - no problem. My guess is that you will easily find several people in the US who can do such work. |
I got my Syrah with the Jarrah Wood base and the polished chrome top. I could find NO bad spots or imperfections on the unit anywhere. My unit has worked beautifully from the time I opened it up and after 2 months, it only gets better! I agree with BWhite. I believe Micks quality control will only get better with time. |
Bwhite, do you think that Scott would mind being the U.S. "point man" for mods of these units? I know he has a business of his own to tend, but he seems to be very knowledgable and reasonable (a combination of traits difficult to find these days). Certainly any of us considering this product would not begrudge the relatively small tariff for optimizing this product.
I'd be a little more comfortable knowing that someone's around who's not afraid to (apologies to whoever I'm plagarizing) stick his fingers into something to find out what going on. |
Tubegroover - in the off chance that you have internal quality problems with the unit, it can easily be fixed by anyone with electronics and soldering experience. In fact, I think my preamp is much better after going to a repair shop. The Engineer (Scott Frankland of Wavestream Kinetics) who worked on my preamp made some very good modifications to my preamp which were simple but effective.
Thinks like separating the internal wires better, sheilding a few of the non-critial wires, putting the unit on a scope and fine tuning the Left and Right gain, etc really made a BIG difference in overall performance. Having Scott look at my preamp and do the fine tuning cost a whopping $50 bucks but the return was outstanding. I would recommend owners of Supratek products take them to someone who has built amps/preamps professionally to learn if there are any quick and dirty ways to improve the performance.
I think Mick's recent "extended" schedule for delivery represents his commitment to increasing the quality of his products. When I ordered the preamp, Mick was turning these out in less than 2 weeks. That has changed signifcantly of late and I expect his more current products are higher in initial quality as a result. |
Bwhite - The fact that the units are NOT identical and have the flavor of being individually built is very appealing to me. The problem I don't want to have is being on the receiving end of a product made the other side of the world with internal quality problems because of pressure by the designer to meet schedules.
Quality Control can become a big issue, I've seen it happen to many small businesses when they get stretched too thin. I will speak with Mick about this concern. Thank you and the others so much for your excellent comments and insight on this company. |
