2. amps-preamps
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Supratek Preamp. and 6SN7's impressions

I have had a Chardonnay for over a year now and have enjoyed it immensely. I used to drive a Plinius P8 amplifier with it, which was an overkill (200 w/c) for my Reference 3a MM Decapo's. It was a fairly musical combination, though.

Recently I sold the Plinius and bought a First Watt F4 stereo amplifier. It is a class A, 25 w/c buffer type amplifier,(designed and built by Nelson Pass)which means it does not amplify voltage, it is a current amp. You need to have a high gain preamp to drive it, and the Supratek is perfect in that respect.

This also means that the characteristics of the preamplifier are passed thru the amplifier without any gain or editing -or at least minimal editing-. So, I thought this would be a perfect combination to study the effects of the 6SN7 tubes in the Chardonnay.

I have used the following tubes: EH, NOS Tungsols, RCA's, Sylvania's. Verdict: The EH came on top. More natural sounding in both tone, pace and in soundstaging. More vocal and instrumental body. The others seem to have more energy in the highs -brighter- and do not throw a soundstage as natural and effortless as the EH's do.

Also the same conclusion was obtained with the 6106 rectifier that some raved about in this forum.. It does not really function as well as a GZ34 or GZ37. It gives the impression of more dynamics but at the end makes the preamp sound more "hifi". Soundstage is also constrained compared to the GZ34's. Not recommended if you want your Supratek to work as intended. Mick had informed in an email that the 6106 does strange things to the circuit's operating voltages.

So, what would this seem to indicate, in my opinion, is that Mick apparently voiced his preamps. around this tube (EH and GZ34, etc.)to make it as musical as he intended. That works very well.

Sources: Shigaraki CD transport and DA with 47 Labs Dumpty power supply. Supratek Chardonnay preamp. Interconnects and speaker cables: Jena Labs. Power Conditioning and power cables: Jena Labs
manolo
snopro
390 posts
 
I have a Sauvignon with upgraded V-caps. I agree with you the GZ34 double D getter was the best IMS.

The 6sn7 tubes are a different story. I like the NOS tubes better. The best all around tube in my set-up is the 52 Sylvania (Bad Boys)it has a very nice midrange,extended smooth highs, and deep tight bass.

The regulators I use are either GEC KT-66 or Sylvania 6F6g they are both nice. Sylvania has more bass and the KT-66 are little more extended and airier.
amandarae
512 posts
 
The 6sn7 tubes are a different story. I like the NOS tubes better. The best all around tube in my set-up is the 52 Sylvania (Bad Boys)it has a very nice midrange,extended smooth highs, and deep tight bass.

The regulators I use are either GEC KT-66 or Sylvania 6F6g they are both nice. Sylvania has more bass and the KT-66 are little more extended and airier

Hello,

I have the 1952 BB Sylvania's also. As for the regulators, I forgot to clarify that the Sovtek 6L6GC are the stock tubes when I received my preamp.

stopped tube rolling when I replaced my Syrah with the Cortese

He, he,he. Me too! But not two years ago and not with replacing my Chenin with Cortese. I built a preamp and in my current system, it is so much better than my SRPP transformer coupled Supratek preamp.

But, everything depends on what preference each one of us have.

regards,
v21
16 posts
 
I also have the Chardonnay and have come to the same conclusions. I got quite confused when I read all the hype about using the 6106 and 6F6Gs so I just had to get them to improve the performance of my Chardonnay. After many weeks searching on ebay I eventually got a decent 6106 and a pair og 6F6G tubes. What nonsense, Mick had it right, right from the get-go. I am now back with the supplied tubes, Sovtek KT66 and the EH 6SN7. I have changed the supplied Sovtek 5AR4 to a Mullard GZ33 and now my pre-amp is singing like a canary
ajant
76 posts
 
 

Just wondering if you’re still liking the Supratek Chardonnay /F4 combo, or have you switched to other preamps and/or power amps to drive the Capos or other speakers. Regarding its macrodynamics and bass performance, how might the F4 handle a pair of 92db 18” woofers in these open baffles? 

http://www.quarter-wave.com/Project08/Passive_Crossover.pdf

 


ajant
76 posts
 
At moderate listening levels, would the F4 be capable of driving these OBs down to 30Hz?


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