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Preamp Deal of the Century

If anyone is looking for a true "World Class" preamp at a very fair price..heed my advice. I just recieved a Supratek Syrah preamp that was hand built by Mick Maloney in Western Australia, and it is absolutely beautiful! This preamp is the best deal you will ever find. I would put it up against any preamp out there for both looks and sound. Price? $2500 for the Syrah (includes Killer Phono stage). Not into phono? Try the Chardonney line stage for $2100. Don't get me wrong, I am not associated with this company. I am just a very happy owner! This preamp is VERY dynamic, yet liquid. It conveys the sound of music better than any other preamp that I have ever heard! You can check out the Supratek website at www. cantech.net.au
slowhand
ecclectique
509 posts
 
Hello Petland. Regarding the RCA 5u4gb rectifier suppled. It will work- however it is a "directly heated" full wave rectifier and not recommended.I would consult Mick with regards to using it, Indirecty heated rectifiers[recommended] will prevent cathode stripping of the other tubes in the line.The sylvania 5v4g that you mentioned is a good rectifier especially when used in conjunction with the early gt versions of the sylvania 6sn7's. I don't know why the guy would send you a 5u4g.Perhaps that was in error for the other 5932. Enjoy. Cheers David.
georgia2k
27 posts
 
Has anyone replaced the umbilical cord ?

Curious is anyone has tried this. And what if any audible changes you heard. Also was it worth the $'s invested?

I'm getting my Chardonnay end of August. I use TG Audio SLVR and 688 power cords. And they made a significant improvment to my XA777es and Berning ZH-270.

- Ken
fiddler
581 posts
 
Ken, I have questioned the same thing.

I have wondered myself if the umbilical cord could be limiting the Supratek at all. After hearing what power cords and great IC's can do, I am very curious about what gains a replacement for the stock umbilical cord would produce.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Fiddler, the same thing you said about the H-Cat was said when I got one of the first Syrahs and raved about it.
lrsky
1,118 posts
 
Why doesn't the First Sound Preamp get the same enthusiatic response as the Supratek. I think sometimes that the chase, just as with sex, is more important than the catch. I conversed with Mick via email, and while he seemed very, very nice, I came away wondering about waiting 7 months like Tubegroover did for his pre. Kind of like going to the hottest restaurant waiting two hours. Is it worth the wait. I know, I know, apples and oranges, but generally the mystique takes presidence for we groupies.
Right here in Washington, we have Emmanuel Go handcrafting what some people describe as the finest preamp around. Just finished a review in which it was given the nod over the Holiest of Grail pres. Plus the guy is a complete prince to talk to.
I would be the first to agree that other than speakers, which are electro/mechanical, and usually have the strongest personality, that if you have a good source, the pre, driving an amp is the icing on the cake. So the question is; what is so glamorous about waiting 3 to 7 months for a preamp when we have such a great product in our midst. Maybe someone out there has compared these two and found Mick's to be vastly superior. Is that it?
Thanks,
Larry
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