Preamp Deal of the Century

Lisbon, use paypal if you can.

Has any one listened to the Supratek Burgundy amps. I know this is a preamp thread but seemed the best place to post. The amps look stunning and use the same driver tube as the Lamm ML1.1's. There are alot of reviews and feedback on Supratek preamps but not much on their amps. Any experience with these amps would be appreciated.

I never heard the Burgundy amps but I am pretty familiar with the Merlots 18 watts and the Converts 45/2A3 monos ( not on Supratek website anymore) .The Merlots use the 6C33C-B russian tube (Lamm ,Tenor , Bat).Excellent amps with great bass , extension on top and liquid midrange .I sold them and got the Converts with the 45 tube .Less power and headroom but still ok with my 104 db speakers .Far more realism , cleaner and the magic of the 45 tube .I used a first generation Syrah preamp for a few days, didn't sound right in my system .
Speaking of russian tube , I just got back my Kora Eclipse with heavy mod (new diodes in PSU , Jupiter caps / Audiocap Theta / resistors/ silver wire ) and the 6h30 replaced the 6922.This tube is on steroids ! So dynamic and transparent . No need for those NOS 6922s and 6SN7s anymore ...

My Cortese finally arrived this weekend. I have only had a few hours with it but I am feeling a little let down by this preamp - of course I had big expectations. It is twice the price of the Syrah and on first impression, sounds almost identical. I'd say that out of the box, its slightly more refined and controled sounding, it has a wee-bit wider soundstage, and is less extended in the highs. Bass is definately better though....

Overall, right now it feels "tight" as if it still needs some time to break in, relax and open up.

The Electro Harmonix EL34 regulator tubes he sends are garbage to my ears and the first significant improvement I made was to re-box them, throw them under the sofa, and install my TS-5881's. Upon doing that, the Cortese sounded even more like the familiar Syrah. Is that a good thing? I don't know yet. You'd think not... since the Cortese IS twice the price of a Syrah.

So far, I've played with KenRad Black Glass, RCA 5692's, Sylvania Metal Base, and Tung-Sol Rounds. I still like the Ken Rads but I have a feeling that as the Cortese breaks in, the Ken Rads may not be the tube of choice... I'll need to find a new brand. :(

Mick has improved his packaging by leaps and bounds since I received my last preamps - outstanding improvement! Also the overall quality of the product seems to be much better than I experienced previously which tells me they are handling these much more carefully at the factory - during production. Solder joints are all well done and the tube sockets are FANTASTIC! Mick's using new (to me) black tube sockets which are securely fastened to the chasis & really hold the tubes securely. Tougher to tube roll though.

The Remote works flawlessly. Nice two function - slow up/down and fast up/down.

Also, Mick did a new Home Theater By-Pass circuit for me which we developed together. I haven't fully tested it yet but from what I can tell so far its an awesome improvement on the previous implementation of that feature.

Well that's it for now. I'll keep this thread going as I hear the Cortese break in.

Bwhite - NOS tube suggestions for Chardonnay ?

I'm getting a Chardonnay end of August.

Andy at Vintage Tube Service said the following:
6SN7
Sylvania are extended ( tipped up in treble )
Tung Sol round plate ( very even across freqencies )
RCA ( richer sounding than either of above )
Ken Rad ( pricey, hard to get and Andy said he believes in the RCA )
I ordered Tung Sol.

Mullard 5AR4
I said I wanted to rich sound. And he said Mullard 5AR4 ( 50s ). Andy did not see a reason for buying GZ-32 rather than a 5AR4.

I've read your posts and most others about the Syrah NOS tubes. My room is reflective.

"Standard Ken Rad Black Glass 6SN7GT - Put this tube in a system which is reflective or bright and WHAM! you have air, weight, transparency, body, heft, slam and a natural texture that other tubes only dream of. It s the most beautiful midrange but those who focus on the highest of highs - air and transparency will no doubt be leaving the room. This tube can seem dark to those folks. Using this tube in a darker side of neutral type system or one with dampened room acoustics leaves you wanting something more open... then move up to the VT-231 or NAVY.

Also good is the Sylvania 6SN7w's (metal base). Tung Sol Round plates are pretty good"

I don't have $'s this year to buy a bunch of tubes to try and want to buy from reputable dealer so I can return any microphonic tubes.

The XA777es and Berning are both detailed and fast. And I'm looking to get a lush sound from the Chardonnay. "Asa" likes the Tung Sol but he said you had tried more tubes than him. What would you suggest for 6SN7 and rectifier tube ?

Audio system:
XA777es with Dan Wright mods and TG 688 pwr cord
Berning ZH-270 NOS and Cryo output tubes, TG SLVR pwr cord and ERS kit
Meadowlark Osprey speakers
Sound Apps XE-12
Luminous Synchestra silver speaker cable
Luminous Silver Ref interconnects
RixRax Hoodoo ( plus 60#'s of sand )

thanks for any suggestions,

Ken