Supratek Owners Thread

I think the coolness is baked in by design, based on exchanges with the LTA developer. Over the last several years the audio market has gravitated in good part to “neutral” as the standard, something that appeals to customers who listen more to the hardware (“sonic effects”) than those who primarily listen to the music. Mick has stuck to his guns.

Decided i`m going to hang in there and wait for my Chardonnay. Thanks everyone for your input.

@highstream, i read again your July 14th comment. Yes you are spot on. This explains my current enjoyment. Mick said to me the following: " The Preamp - Not a particular brand - is the premiere component in the system alongside the Speakers", this is for the sound you get. Now in my situation i did not know the potential of my system different source components until after all being controlled by this Cortese. This is when speaking about just the Preamp, for the LCR Phono section, that is another aspect that i'm yet to come to terms with its Superiority. Back to your bold statement, like many of us, i also have for many times - over the years - tried different preamps. It was allways, and allways the case of retraining my ears to the new sound, and also play with interconnects and cables to bring the sound of music to what my ears would favour! This time, the Cortese delivered it all with - like they say - with Amazing Grace. The Ears Love The Music it hear.

Wow, what a difference in forums! I’ve been on a JansZen Valentina A8 actives thread at AudioCircle recently. Those speakers are hybrid electrostatic actives, a meter tall, that include everything except the source. From a practical standpoint, that’s awfully appealing (I have ATC actives). Even better is that the developer claims that because of his design better power cords and ICs for the speakers (as opposed to the source) don’t matter and a regenerator is unnecessary as well. So I ask, "Tell me about their tone on a cool-neutral-warm continuum." I make clear that I’m looking for emotional involvement, not to be listening to the hardware (the latter in my experience is typical of gear that emphasizes clarity, transparency and neutrality, which JansZen does).

Now, these are $12K plus speakers that weigh ~65 lbs each and an audition would mean shipping across the country and moving my speakers out of their good location, so I figure let’s find out first if it’s worth it. The odd, yet revealing thing so far is not one person has been willing to answer my question (including in effect the writer in Part-Time Audiophile whose review got me looking at the Valentina's, which I’d never heard of, in the first place). In fact, this afternoon one guy, who has the passive version, which is not really comparable, wrote that " If someone wants to hear what is on each recording, reproduced with even frequency response, great dynamics, and low distortion, the Valentinas will do it. If the listener wants all recordings to sound similar -- say, warm and comfortable -- the Valentinas probably are not for them." How does one have a productive discussion with that?

So, coming back to this more sympatico thread, thanks for your comment, and good news to hear that the Cortese is coming through for you. Lately, I’ve been focused more on the Lampi Atlantic TRP dac. The Tesla EL51 pair turn it into a whole different ball game, and match really well with the USAF 596 rectifier (also good in a Supratek, if you can find one). For the Chardonnay, recently I’ve been using a 1940s Italian Fivre 5U4G rectifier, which is lovely, and tried a pair of 1950’s CBS/Hytron 6SN7GT in the main unit. While they turned out to be a touch better than the very good Shuguang WE6SN7’s, two of the three tubes I was sent had problems and had to go back. I read that even better are the Melz 1578 and Tung-Sol NOS 6SN7 and 6F8G (+ adapter) versions. Have to see if a pair for a good price (and genuine product) comes along. But no hurry, the dac + preamp are so gorgeous right now.

I brought a 2nd hand Cabernet DHT a few months ago ... what an amazing preamp, I also have a range of valve amps to compare, Ayon Auris, AR LS15 and a 2nd system using McIntosh C22/MC75's, the DHT just nails it ..

I have a range of valve and SS power amps and after much trialing settled on it fronting a Accuphase A70 driving a pair of Dynaudio Platinum C2's.  My main sources is DAC Accuphase DC37, but also a Marantz SACD/CD player.  I am yet to be happy with the quality of sound from my phono, have a Linn Lp12 and Rega RP8 so this is a project for the future to sort them out ...

The awesome guy who sold me the Supratek also supplied me a great set of valves which so far sound the best against what i have rolled.  He did a lot of work tube rolling and really knows his valves.

Output tubes - Emmission Lab 45 Mesh Plates (these are just amazing) and a set of PSvane 300B

Input Stage Inner - Sylvania Metal base 6sn7 - unfortunately 1 went microphonic so I have some vintage Sylvania's in now .. though absolutely luv' the metal base sound, lush and open but $$$

Input Stage Outer - Sylvania Vintage (1950s) 6sN7 (nice clean open sound)

Power Regulator Pair - Valvo EL34 1960

Rectifier - GEC U52, again an incredible valve

I also purchased a set of vintage Mullard GZ37 rectifiers to try, but there is a audio difference with the GEC U52.

I am tube rolling 6SN7's, have and tried EH, Shuguang - Grant Fidelity, RCA, and the Sylvannia sound best for my ears.  I have just acquired some Ken Rad black and clear which will ship today.

I tried the PSvane 300B, but much prefer the EML 45M.  Also picking up today a pair of RCA JAN 2A3 and just acquired a quad of RCA Cunningham Radiotron 45 valves.  See where I end up ...