Supratek or Don Sachs - which way to go?

Other 6SN7 preamps I’ve been curious about and would welcome a chance to hear in my system included; deHavaland Ultraverbe, Atma-Sphere MP-3, and TRL Dude.

@ianderson  FWIW the MP-3 is a fully differential balanced design. We do make a single-ended 6SN7-based preamp called the UV-1.

04-01-2019 11:22am:
”I often recommend products that are not my own (as seen in this thread) [D. Sachs] and would be happy to recommend yours [Supratek’s] as well, provided I don’t have to worry about someone that took my recommendation getting mad because a fire or shock hazard was present in that equipment because a component came loose in shipment or the like.”

You don’t engage in this behavior in other threads. So I ask why now?

@celander

If you PM or email me I would be happy to answer that directly.

@steakster
It might help to know my perspective is also that of a service technician. I started working at the Allied Radio service department near my house the day after I graduated from high school. I continued to work in consumer repair while I put myself through college; after I got my degree I continued working consumer repair well into the 1980s.

Some equipment I serviced was extremely well-built internally and often I had to marvel at the pride that companies like MacIntosh or Tektronix obviously took in their work.  Knowing what's under the hood has always been a curiosity of mine and I still do repair work on occasion just because I enjoy it. 

The internal photos comment, the advice to google the unit, that was low and uncalled for (in my humble view).

So- a Google search on a thing is 'uncalled for'?? IMO that's a pretty low bar.
As to the posting of the video on our home page that was in **direct response** to this comment, which IMO is untrue:

And yes, point-to-point soldering results is “messier” wiring presentations than the corresponding PCB soldered wiring. If one wants aesthetics of what’s presented under the hood but never seen, then buy an all-PCB component.

I also posted a photo of a Marantz at the same time.  The context is important.

Ralph, you might want to review all of your posts here besides the first one.

I did. Are you reading more into my comments than is on the page?

@atmasphere Having been a long time member of AudiogoN, I’ve always looked forward to reading your insightful posts. But, not the ones on this thread.

Agree with @steakster have always admired Ralph with his very insightful posts but I think he took this thread too far in the wrong direction.

@rsf507 , @steakster 

Was my comment 'Between the two the Sachs is hands down the winner.'  going too far?? The OP asked and I answered. Did I make some other comment that is considered problematic?? I'd appreciate it if you could point it out.

atmasphere will you please stop posting pix of preamps from many years ago, the wiring of modern Suprateks is completely different.

@mickm

@celander is correct.

I've not posted any photos nor have I posted a link to any. Rather than accuse me of something I did not do, maybe it would be more constructive if you put up an interior photo of one of your preamps on your website. Just as a bit of advice (we've been doing this over 40 years if that means anything), people may not open up the equipment they buy, but they do like to see that the manufacturer is proud of the work they do. And by all accounts, the sound you get is excellent so this would seem to me to be win-win.

Ralph: And the absence of a wiring photo should implicate an audio designer as not having pride in his construction quality?

No! - just a missed opportunity IMO.

And yes, point-to-point soldering results is “messier” wiring presentations than the corresponding PCB soldered wiring. If one wants aesthetics of what’s presented under the hood but never seen, then buy an all-PCB component.

It does not matter if its point to point or not. Maybe its jut me but I want my audio equipment to look good inside.

http://www.atma-sphere.com/
We like the customer to be able to see that we take pride in our construction quality.
Marantz made their reputation that way:
https://www.stereophile.com/images/312listen.marbottom.jpg

Through researching and corresponding with others on various boards I came to think the 6SN7 was the tube I wanted as the centerpiece of whatever I bought.

Its an excellent tube- and nearly every preamp that uses it has gotten good reviews.

This is Mick, the manufacturer of Supratek. Firstly, I'm getting a bit sick of atmasphere jumping in with 20 year old pix of Supratek wiring , everytime Supratek gets mentioned. Am I that much of a threat?

Please direct me to the photo that I linked. OTOH, a photo of a current preamp would be better. I often recommend products that are not my own (as seen in this thread) and would be happy to recommend yours as well, provided I don't have to worry about someone that took my recommendation getting mad because a fire or shock hazard was present in that equipment because a component came loose in shipment or the like. I was unable to find any interior views on your website. As nice as they look on the outside, and as nice as they sound, shouldn't they look as good on the inside? Wouldn't you want to show that off?

Both are noted for excellent sound.
But internal photos tell a story too. Between the two the Sachs is hands down the winner. Don shows the internals on his website. Google 'Supratek internal photos' for views of the other.
Is there a particular reason why its come down to these two preamps?