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Supratek Owners Thread

Greetings All - 
It appears that the 26-million-plus view, multi-decade "Preamp Deal of the Century" Supratek thread has been removed. I'm not sure why, but suppose there must be a reasonable explanation.
In any case, on that thread I recently asked whether there might be interest in a "Supratek owners thread" and received some interest. 
The purpose of this thread is for Supratek owners to share the details of their system, ask questions, share information about any tube-rolling they have done, and so forth.
I'll kick us off here with a few details about my system -
ancient Linn LP12 with Ittok arm, Dynavector 17D3 cartridge into Cortese LCR phono stage
Power amp is a fully serviced Innersound Electrostatic amplifier
Quad ESL63 speakers (not USA monitors) or JBL 4430 studio monitors
Digital sources are immature and evolving - ancient Fostex CR300 cd player/burner
DacMagic 100 DAC
Nordost Blue Heaven 75ohm interconnect
Due to the fairly long lengths of speaker wire required in the new listening room, speaker wire is Belden 12 gauge wire designed for low-voltage outdoor lighting systems. 
Next steps - dedicated circuit, new power cords, new interconnects, new wires.
128x128markusthenaimnut

Showing 13 responses by couger4u

couger4u
56 posts
 
Well received an email from Mick, According to him quote ' its nothing to worry about, you might find it depends on the time of day, the mains voltage etc. Its very over engineered and very strong transformer'. So am not going to worry about it. It is beautiful to look at and it rocks.
couger4u
56 posts
 
Got my Cabernet about two weeks ago and enjoying it a lot since then. Two days ago I noticed a faint Hum coming from the power supply. You can only hear it when really close to the unit. It does not seem to interfere with the music. Moving the power supply to another position does not make any difference. Does any of you notice it on your units? I sent an email to Mick but have not heard back. Thanks Guys. 
couger4u
56 posts
 
Well took the plunge and ordered Cabernet 6SN7 in Powdercoat/Wood. I was told the turnaround time will take 12 weeks. Once I receive it I will see what the  hullabaloo is about. I hope it lives upto its hype. Right now I am using Eastern Electric Avant preamp and it is a superb preamp if tubes are changed. I am hoping Cabernet surpasses it. Crossing my fingers. 
couger4u
56 posts
 
Has anyone thought of or changed the fuse on Cabernet to a higher end fuse? I am thinking of doing it. If you have changed it then can you list it here and the changes you noticed. Thanks.
couger4u
56 posts
 
I have the Cabernet for a about two months. I posted earlier that my preamp get a hum when you come closer to the power supply but Mick said it is due to power supply being over engineered. Now the hum has seeped into the speakers and Mick says he received bad transformers and will send a new power supply when he can. He has not sent me the Psvane treasure tubes he promised me as he sent me some Russian tubes with the preamp. He is a one man show so I guess give him some time to correct all these issues but I am wondering for how long. At least he answers every email I sent him.
couger4u
56 posts
 
Well Mick sent me a new power supply and it still hums. I tried without umbilical cord and a new tube and it still hums. I am so disappointed because I love the sound of the preamp but the hum is driving me crazy. I can hear it in the speakers and I hear it if real close to the power supply. Any suggestions what I should do?
couger4u
56 posts
 
Sorry for late response, been busy at work. I think there is something wrong with the umbilical cord for the preamp. I started by turning on the power supply and could not hear any hum coming from it. Then I attached the preamp with umbilical cord with no RCA in or out and I could hear the hum from the power supply. I have asked for a new umbilical cord from Mick and will test it again when I receive it. I also googled the cord and found Revelation Audio Labs makes one. Will also ask them in future to make one for me if it works in resolving the issue. Has anyone tried them?
couger4u
56 posts
 
Well Mick says its not the power/umbilical cord so I am left with the hum. I am looking at hum busters. Any suggestions?
couger4u
56 posts
 
In order to eliminate the hum, I bought the iFi SilentPower - GND Defender - Intelligent Ground Control, IEC Connector Ground from Amazon. I tried it on the preamp and Amp but it did not work. I am thinking again that it is the umbilical cord but Mick does not think so. I am scratching my head here. 
couger4u
56 posts
 
Thanks jslateiv but I think I solved the issue. Well the issue with the hum is solved and another popped up in its place. I took the equipment apart and put is together again but hum was there. Then on a whim I disabled the gain on the preamp and voila hum is gone. I turn it back on and hum is there. Could have Mick missed a trick here? It should not hum if the gain is on. I will have to ask Mick about it. I like the gain on. Thanks guys it was a journey to solve this problem.
couger4u
56 posts
 
Ok Guys, I spoke too soon about the hum being caused by the tubes. I bought a new set to tubes Tung Sol 6SN7GTB and hum is back. The previous tubes where all this started were Psvane 6SN7 Treasure MKII. Now the strange part is the 6SN7 tubes that Mick sent me do not hum. I have asked Mick if the preamp, he sent me, takes only one make and model of tubes. @jslateiv as you can see from my post I do not think its the gain issue. I could be wrong but lets see where this goes. 
couger4u
56 posts
 
@rh67 Always.
couger4u
56 posts
 
Well Mick gave up on my Cabernet hum issue. He does not know why the other new tubes hum and not the ones he sent me. I do not know if he tests his preamps with other tubes and only uses Russian tubes to calibrate his preamps. He is going to ask his technician in USA to take a look at the preamp but Mick says he is moving states so I have to wait till Mick tells me. In the meantime I have bought KAB subsonic filter and do not have the woofer pumping when playing vinyl. Also lifted the ground switch on my Parasound A21 amp and that has reduced the hum somewhat. The journey continues.
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