The Chenin replaces the Syrah. The Syrah is a full function preamp (with phono)whereas Chardonnay is a linestage version only with virtually the same circuit implementation of the the linestage section of the former.
I believe that around December 2003, the Syrah was replaced by the Chenin. The main difference was the tubes used in the preamp phono section and , as Mick Maloney commented, the Chenin uses the Cortese phono circuit. In turn the Cortese's phono circuit was also improved on a later date.
The Syrah uses 417A and I believe 6ER5 tubes for phono in contrast to the Chenin's 6C4/M8080 and 6DJ8/6922/7308 tubes.
You can read a lot about them here http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1016931418&read&keyw&zzpreamp=deal=of=the=century if you do not want to ask Mick directly through e-mail. I have to warn you, the thread is 34 (and counting) sections long!
cheers
I believe that around December 2003, the Syrah was replaced by the Chenin. The main difference was the tubes used in the preamp phono section and , as Mick Maloney commented, the Chenin uses the Cortese phono circuit. In turn the Cortese's phono circuit was also improved on a later date.
The Syrah uses 417A and I believe 6ER5 tubes for phono in contrast to the Chenin's 6C4/M8080 and 6DJ8/6922/7308 tubes.
You can read a lot about them here http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1016931418&read&keyw&zzpreamp=deal=of=the=century if you do not want to ask Mick directly through e-mail. I have to warn you, the thread is 34 (and counting) sections long!
cheers