New tube preamp

For the gentleman who said “sounds like stock tubes to me” I am using some Nos Telefunken 12au7’s from the early 1960’s that transformed the preamp and made a huge improvement. I fully realize the benefits of good, nos vintage tubes from the 40’s, 50’s & 60’s and maybe even the 70’s. What concerns me about the Supratek preamps is the return policy. I’ve read Suprateks return policy and understand it’s a 3 day return and the customer pays the return shipping ($200.00 in my case) and you get your money back only after he sells it. I doubt if he sends you a fully broken in preamp which makes the 3 day return policy basically worthless. I don’t doubt you’ll eventually get your money back, everything I’ve read about Mick says he’s a very reliable and trustworthy person, it’s the amount of time you may have to wait that is a little concerning. It may take a week or two, it may take a month or two. Compare that to the linear Tube Audio’s return policy, first of all they fully break in all their products before they ship them, they give you a 14 day, no questions asked and they even pay the return shipping. What more could you ask for? The biggest and most important question though isn’t about a return policy, it’s about sound quality in your system and synergy with one’s equipment. Not an easy decision.

scot

Tomlhuffman,

I agree with our opinion of the Parasound Jc2. I found it to be very over rated. Frankly, it bored me to tears. 

Tweak1,

When you you refer to the Machine Dynamica super stiff springs, I’m not familiar but I’m guessing that they are some kind of isolation device/footer than goes under the preamp. I tried the Critical Mass Systems Center Stage series 2 feet under the BHK Signature preamp (they recommend 4 not 3) and couldn’t believe the improvement they made. It’s a very strange product. You place them under the component like any other foot but the sound quality gets WORSE, they even warn you about this in the instructions. Be patient though, after they have “settled in” which takes anywhere from 5 to 14 days you will simply not believe your ears. Everything gets better! The improvement is not subtle. It sucks because they are stupid expensive but once you’ve heard them there’s no going back, you’ll want to put them under every component. 

Scot

If you are looking for a great tube pre..try DHT tubes...fantastic.  Have a look at my Allnic L-5000 DHT on Audiogon now..thx  G

Home demo’ed the LTA and was not impressed. Did not live up to the hype. Different, but not a step up from the solid state preamp section on my Naim DAC/pre/headphone amp.  Ended up with a demo ET-7 Conrad Johnson instead. 

Be sure to listen in your home system and don’t  get sold on the hype. 

Meiatflask,

I’ve been dying to listen to the CJ and especially the Et7 but only one CJ dealer in my area and he doesn’t have one on the floor to listen to. Is yours the series 1 or series 2? Also, if I’m not mistaken I think the retail price on the new et7 series 2 is up to 13k! What did you have before you bought the et7? I heard an et5 years ago and was impressed. I read somewhere that the head of their service department bought the company from the original owners, it looks like he’s making some changes and bringing out some new products which was needed. You rarely see one of their products being reviewed.  Thanks.

Scot