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Supratek or Don Sachs - which way to go?

I'm preparing to replace my SS preamp with a tube unit and have read with great interest many threads on this board. This is where I learned about Don Sachs model 2 preamps. They sound like what I'm looking for and those who own them consistently express their satisfaction with them.

Now I've just been reading and learning about the Supratek lineup. Wow. These also sound like fantastic works of art. Leaving me with a new question about which way to go. 

Thoughts? Advice? Experience? Anyone care to share?
markusthenaimnut

Showing 2 responses by thaluza

thaluza's avatar
thaluza
287 posts
 
I really liked my Supratek Cortese. I sold it to buy an Audio Research LS25 MKii preamp, which turned out to be a step backwards sonically. The Cortese sounded great with the included EH tubes, so tube rolling was not necessary. It also had a very nice built in phonostage. Mick was great to deal with. The only drawback for me was that the power supply got hot and it warmed up my room a little too much, which is why I started looking for other preamps. I really liked the sound of my system with the Cortese, though.

thaluza's avatar
thaluza
287 posts
 
Nice review. I used to have a Cortese and would consider purchasing another in the future. Agree that Mick is great to deal with. Hard to beat the Cortese if you want a great sounding preamp with a built-in phono stage. I'm intrigued by the new LCR phono stage. I hope to read more about it.
My only gripe with the one that I owned was that the separate power supply really warmed up my small-ish room, much like some tube amps would do. I'm wondering if the separate power supply of the new Cortese model warms up your room at all?
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