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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
Post removed 
jslateiv
64 posts
 

@tholt ,.. The gain reduction is mainly for matching the pre to very sensitive amps,..(ie, solidstate) where there would not be much play in the VC.  It is best left un-engaged if it is not needed but is pretty transparent when in use.    With most modern source outputs being in the 1.5 - 4v range,  the main VC really shouldn't ever need to be raised above the 12'oclock position.   Much beyond that you could start to overload the input with such a high source V.   The pre is a VERY high gain device and easily accept very low v. sources (ie,. iPhone,  etc..)..  I find the best volume knob range to be around 9-10'oclock for standard ~2v source components..    if this is range is too loud in the room,..   use the gain reduction to set a goo volume,  then leave it at that position and go back to main VC as standard adjustment. 

  From a tube standpoint,  you won't really find any useful gain reduction with the tubes the pre will accept.   The 6L6's are circuit voltage regulators only and do not affect gain,.. they just provide a rock steady voltage for everything else to run on.

 

Hope this helps,   Best,

tholt
551 posts
 

@jslateiv thanks. I accidentally deleted my post. I went to edit it and somehow confirmed delete. My bad for having a nightcap while I surf apparently lol. Regardless, your post is helpful. I'll continue to play with the gain knob. Also good to know about the tubes.

tubes4good
25 posts
 

I have a Cabernet DHT /6SN7 that Mick made in 2021. I love it. Recently, one of the 6L6 regulator tubes went bad, leaving me one non matching 6L6 as backup. How much difference does the quality of the regulator tubes make? What are your favorites. For reference,  I have rolled many of the other tubes. My favorite rectifier has been the Bendix 6106. Recently, I've been enjoying the Sophia 274B. For DHT, I've settled on 45's, specifically the National Unions. I have Psvanes that were shipped in the 6SN7  slots. In my setup, the 6SN7's are not used. Before, they had provided the the signal for the subwoofer amp. Now, the 45's provide the signal to all amps.

jackd
1,068 posts
 

@tubes4good 

My Cabernet from the same time frame shipped with Tung Sol's but I have also used JJ's and hear no difference between them or with the NOS Russian ones that shipped with my Chardonnay in 2019.  So my advice is just pick one of the new production brands and go with it.  

 

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