Supratek Owners Thread
Thanks for the extra info @gryphongryph, @jackd , and @jslateiv . I thought the copper might add shielding. High-end Japanese components often use copper lined chassis for this reason. @jackd which Supratek do you find the D. Sachs closer to tonal balance wise? Thanks, Doug A |
@firstgrowth can you please explain a little bit about what you mean by you "rewired everything"? It sounds like you had to rebuild the preamp. I'm guessing that what you meant was that you simply reconnected everything in your system and re-seated the tubes. And sorted out the switch. Is this correct? |
As to the different finishes the only differences are the cost and the fact that in the current supply chain environment the copper/chrome finishes will result in what could be a much longer wait time. I prefer the black chassis finish anyway so I have one with a black case and one with the Jarrah wood case. They don't sound any different. The Supratek's will be my last preamp and all the others will eventually be for sale. Would love to hear Aric's take on the 6SN7 preamp but not going to buy one just for an audition. |
Jack summed it up nicely. Smooth/classic vs. more dynamic/lively. Its subtle but instantly noticeable and interestingly both still very much retain that ‘Supratek’ house sound. Mostly likely due to the regulators. A feature very few other builders incorporate. Couple that with the ease of repairs due to P-P wiring and you have sonic pieces of art that can literally be handed down for decades to come and will sound as good if not better 50 years from now with only some very minor maintenance. |
I've owned a Chardonnay for going on three years, the latest Sachs for almost two years and a Cabernet 8SN7 for just a couple of months. The Cabernet and Chardonnay at this time are in different house in different systems in different states so haven't had a chance to do a side by side comparison yet. Going off of my experience with the Chardonnay versus the small time I've spent with the Cabernet my take on the differences between the two are that the Chardonnay is a smoother more comfortable classic tube sound while the Cabernet is a more lively sound more to the neutral side. I guess some people would say that equals more dynamic but it's just different. They are different circuit designs and as the Cabernet gets more hours on it some of it's characteristics may change slightly but don't think it will ever be as "warm" sounding as the Chardonnay. It will come down to what you are looking for and how you think it will fit with your current or future equipment. One clear advantage I have found though with both Supratek's over the Sachs is with the tubes. Tubes that are unacceptable to me in the Sachs in terms of noise play fine in the Supratek units. Also the options of either balanced or SE outputs and adjustable gain are an important factor to me as I tend to swap amps around. |
When I asked Mick that question, he replied a little bit more of everything 😜 The chrome looks very nice especially in the evening when other lights in the room reflects of the 2 big domes, but I think there will be many that think it is too much bling, I did not get the domes until later and it took a while for me to get used to the new look! But they have grown on me, so now I kind of like the look. If there is a sonic difference? I really can’t say, probably a question better suited for Mick to answer. |
Yes. Trying different sources. CD player. DAC. phono. Cassette. All of them. Get a cassette playing, a CD playing, stream something through your DAC. All at the same time. Keep the volume at 9 o'clock while you switch between the sources. Read the owners manual. Tweak the gain control. Try the switches. I concur it's *probably* something simple. Please keep us informed. We're all on your side. |
"Sounds like the input switch was in the wrong position of faint sound was coming through." This is exactly what I was thinking. Note: be patient as you test the various input pairs and the selector switch. It can be a little confusing - at least it was for me. For instance, viewed from the front, my LCR phono stage is at the 10 o'clock setting, even though the input is the furthest one to the left (looking from the back). And so on. |
Enormously helpful. I flipped the gain switch the opposite way as well as the mute. There's some sound but I'm not there yet. At least I know the cabling is correct. The sound is faint and thin. I tried the 45/300b switches and no change. I don't have my multimeter at this house so I'm flying a little blind. Is there a chance I installed the output tubes incorrectly? I can shut it down and reseat them. |
Make sure the center/rear toggle in front of the gain knob is positioned towards the front of the pre (or make sure the knob is fully clockwise),.. Other posibility is that the V switch for the DHT is incorrect. If you are in fact using a 300B (NOT 45), try the switch in the other position,.. no harm as the 45 only gets 2.5v (not 5v).. this can also be (very) carefully measured with a dmm by lifting on the DHT out of the socket just enough to probe both of the 'large' pins. DMM set to DCV. Should see 5v. make sure the probes DO NOT touch other pins or chassis. Also make sure your input selector is correct. if using the first rca /input selector should be in the 2nd position. |
I didn't have any "upgrades" done to my Cabernet but I did have a few mods. I have two balanced sets of outputs. The bigger one is that I can run either 6sn7 or 12sn7 in my amp. That cost me $500 but considering what the better 6sn7 tubes cost and how much less the identical 12sn7 I think I made the right decision.
Others have decided to use a pair of 6j5 per side instead of 6sn7. That would also be an effective way of getting great tubes at a much lower cost. I prefer getting the 6sn7 sockets though. I can use a 6sn7 to 2x6j5 adapter if I wanted to. |
Skypop Yes, south Louisiana we have been directly affected many times in the last few years. Seems like the Hurricanes are beginning to be more severe and destructive each year. We normally pack up and leave so we don't lose our vehicles. I have been flooded 3 times but this was the worst of all. No I didn't consider a change in capacitors at the time when ordering. I did not want to delay the process . Mick mentioned supply chain delays getting certain parts so I did not inquire. |
Only possible upgrade for my Cortese was weather I wanted to go the LCR version or not. I didn't,though about half way through I asked him to go ahead and do the LCR version but he said if I want to do that there's a loooong wait because the trannies are on backorder and it could be August before I see. My Preamp. I told him forget it and the delivery was just a few days ago. |
@chuckie congrats and hope you get to set it up soon. I can tell by the difference between when I first turned it on till now that it needs some play time before it is judged. It just seems to really convey real instruments and singers better than any Preamp I've had which includes Marantz 7,Hovland HP100,Audible Illusions,and Conrad Johnson. |
Skypop It's also official for me too. I received my Chardonnay 3 a couple hours ago. My Chardonnay 3 is also the dark wood but the top plate is black. Magnificently built with tremendous craftsmanship a beauty to behold. My system is still in flux so I can't even set it up yet due to my home being rebuilt from Hurricane Ida last August. Congratulations and enjoy I am sure you will have a great evening. Chuckie |
It's official, my Cortese arrived this morning! So far its definitely sounding great! Only a few hours on it but from when I first put it into the system to now I can hear that it has opened up more, at first it sounded a little stuffy but not now lol. Mine is the dark wood base with chrome plate tops. The rest of my system consists of Magnepan 1.7i,and 3.6r's that I switch between sometimes,2 sunfire subs in use when the 1.7i's are playing,PS Audio M1200 amps, chord cutest dac,meridian cd transport and a meridian 518 processor, and my trusty Technics ML-1000 Mk2 Table with a Ortofon TA210 arm which I use different carts with. Everything sounds more lifelike and life-size. My other preamp is no slouch by any means-Marantz7 Preamp,technology moves on but I would still never sell my Marantz. |
