Supratek Owners Thread

@jackd Great info exactly what I was looking for.  Much appreciated.

Very nice to hear another  happy Supratek owner.  Its the best stereo system decision I have made.  I am blown away how good my speakers sound.  I had no idea they had it in them.  🤣 My wife walked by my chrome Cabernet and said “That is a really beautiful component”. First and only complement I have heard from her in regards to my stereo systems. 👍

For my Cab the tubes and fuse make a huge difference.  Especially the rectifier and 6SN7’s. Output tubes not so much.  Enjoy the music!

@jslateiv question for you on my 6 month old Cab volume control.  Whenever I use the remote volume up or down I get a crackling  sound. If I turn the volume knob up and down a few times it goes away but returns next time it’s turned on.  Should this be of concern?  Thanks for your expertise.  

@rms456 excellent to hear about your new arrival🤣. Once it breaks in and if you have an interest in upgrading your tubes I have several suggestions that made a definite improvement. I have rolled many 6sn7’s, 6f8g’s , 6l6’s as well as 5V rectifiers. Also, highly recommend upgrading your fuse to a Swiss Fuse Box. All nice SQ enhancements. Cheers!

@jslateiv many thanks for the excellent explanation.  All good…the Cab only makes noise using the remote.

@rms456 not sure what rectifier make came stock but I would suggest you try a few different rectifiers. They do sound different and can enhance the SQ and last many years. My list that I have used on my system in order of my preference.

Sylvania US Navy 5U4GB Straight tall bottle, square top getter= just sounds best in all ways

RCA 5R4GY ‘58 Brown base ST bottle = Detailed full warm sound that just fills the space more

RCA 5AS4A ST bottle = Detailed full warm sound

Mullard GZ34 ‘66 = Excellent clarity and detail but lacked the full warmer sound others have. Narrower sound stage. More like studio recording vs symphony hall recording

Sovtek ‘90’s 5AR4 = very nice all around just not as good as the rest. Could live with it.

GE 5AR4 ‘60’s copper plates = similar to Sovtek with less punch and detail.

Russian Stock Supratek Rectifier = same as GE just less of it.

Cheers and enjoy!

Thanks for the info and keeping the thread alive.  Didn’t know Mick still makes/sells power amps. I have a Decware Torii Jr V2 tube amp shipping any day after waiting 2 years to be made. Looking forward to seeing how it pairs with my Cab and 91db speakers.

Cables make a definite difference.  I have recently bought Audio Envy Power and RCA IC’s and had a wow moment.  Cap makes great quality lightweight cables that are well priced.  He really knows his stuff.  Also, my Revelation Audio Passage Umbilical cord another wow upgrade after break-in.  Couldn’t be happier with my Cab.

Hey Supratekers…I have a Chardonnay being built by Mick and I was wondering if anyone can share what amps ($3000 or less new or used) that pair well.  I do have a Decware Torii Jr. on order for over a year that I will give a try but not sure that is a good pairing.  Any thoughts are appreciated.

@jackd my speakers are Goldenear Triton 2+, $3000 or less new or used

Anyone take delivery of a Supratek recently?  

Originally ordered a dark brown wood/chrome Chardonnay and ended up upgrading to a Cabernet 6SN7 since Mick had one available to ship sooner.  Might have been a cancellation…don’t know.  Mick mentioned he was having a very difficult time getting new tubes and said he was sending quality NOS tubes from his stash.  I received Radiotron (RCA Australia made 50’s-60’s) 6SN7’s, Russian made 6N3C’s 90’s?, Russian 5U4C 90’s for my set of tubes.  Curious to hear what tube set any of you received?
Also, would like to hear from any Cab 6SN7 owners on what tubes you are using or prefer.  Thanks

@jackd Thanks for the input.  What tubes are you using?  Nice to hear what others are doing. I have a selection of NOS 6l6’s and 6sn7’s that I can play around with.  What rectifier do you like or recommend? I have some 5u4g’s are they compatible 5ar4 sub?  Much appreciated.

@isaacc7 Thank you for your helpful tube expertise.  I am not familiar with many of these tube types.  Which types would be direct drop in’s for the 6v cabernet without using adapters?  Much appreciated!

@isaacc7 Oh well I think I will start out with traditional 6sn7 tubes.  I really don’t want to mess around with adapters starting out.  Mick included a 40-50’s Radiotron 6SN7gt pair made in Australia.  I have pairs of Rca grey glass 6SN7gt’s, Rca 6SN7gta’s and Raytheon 6SN7gtb’s from the 50’ s to start out. Power tubes I have a selection of 6L6’s to try as well.  Should be fun.  Thanks for your suggestions.

Finally set up my Cabernet 6SN7 on my main system. I am using an LSA Warp 1 class D amp while I wait for my Decware Torri to be built in a few months. Sounds fantastic. I did order a Revelation Audio Labs umbilical cord and ii is a nice addition to Mick’s stock cord. First impression of the cords prior to full break-in is Mick’s sound more warm with larger soundstage like tubes and Rev Audio’s sounds bright/ detailed more like solid state. Any input on how these cords settle in?

It’s been interesting working with Mick he’s a great guy. Ordered a Chardonnay but he was having transformer parts delay so he offered a Cab at a discount instead to avoid an extended delay. Then he was also having difficulty getting tubes so he sub’d some 40-50’s Aussie 6SN7’s. One tested low on arrival and failed badly the second time I used it. The chassis serial number labels had Chardonnay listed as the model and I had to ask Mick to send me new labels which he forgot about until I asked a second time. None of these are a problem for me I understand all the supply chain issues and he is quite busy dealing with it all. He is an accommodating guy of his word and aims to please. One last etiquette question…should I ask Mick for replacement 6SN7 tubes? He didn’t offer when I told him the tube failed? I wasn’t going to ask and just chalk it up as bad luck but wondered how others would respond. Thanks

@jslateiv Thanks…yes I have a few 6SN7 pairs of old stock ‘50’s-60’s RCA’s and Raytheon’s that sound very good and test strong.  Mick’s Russian tubes don’t seem to be up to the task for the Cab. Sounded slightly grainy not as clear.  I rolled some of my tubes yesterday and noticed my tubes were better across the board.  I settled in with GE 5AR4 ‘60’s copper plates, RCA 6SN7GT ‘50’s gray glass, and Shuguang ‘70’s mlitary 6L6 coke bottle. Really enjoy the SQ as it all breaks in👍.

Ok after a few days of tweaking and tube rolling with my Cabernet I have discovered fuses and tubes make a significant difference in SQ. I installed a QSA Yellow fuse and wow it made a significant SQ improvement.  Tubes have made a difference and I am now using RCA 6L6GC ‘60 black plate bottom getter, RCA 6Sn7 GTA  black plates and a 5AS4A rectifier.  Wow nice SQ!

Supratek chrome model owners: I thought I would share that I came across some nice chrome domed tall guitar volume/balance knobs that look great on the preamps. I didn’t really care for the matte aluminum stock knobs. The only downside ,which is of no concern for me, is they don’t have a level mark on the knob.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD8V3714?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Picture (if it works) of the knob comparison:

https://i.postimg.cc/TYJT28nJ/IMG-2646.jpg

@sim_audio_nerd take a look at my post above dated 12-01 on my experience with various nos and old stock rectifiers.  They do make a definite difference. Many of the ones listed are low priced.  I tried some pricey ones such as Mullard and the highly touted Philips 5R4GYS.  Like the Mullard it just didn’t sound any better than the US military brands on my system.  US ones to me had a fuller, meatier and warmer sound with nice highs just slightly less clear and bright.  Ended up selling the Mullard and Philips.  They just didn’t sound as good on my system to me but all sounded good.  Splitting hairs here…