Preamp Deal of the Century

Timchen
"what I am saying is why should I trust these users?"

I don't think anyone here wants you to trust them. Most could care less. This thread IMO has evolved into more of an information forum about Suprateks by people who have taken the 'risk' and have questions about the units. That said there are plenty of 'independent' reviews on the web to illustrate how good these preamps are. Also the fact that this thread is over 3000 should speak for itself. Finally the few that sell here on audiogon, sell for about 80% of their retail so the risk factor is relatively low if you end up finding it just doesn't float your boat at the end of the day.

Sorry - scratch my last post guys... I was browsing thru this monsterous thread and came upon Timchen's post and responded to it thinking it was recent. Its like from 2002 ...yikes . This thread has been around for so long...unreal. I gotta pay better attention.

good listening.

Hi guys,

I previously owned a Sauvignon which I loved but sold when I got into vinyl. My listening is now 95% vinyl and I want a new preamp with a world-class phono stage.

I am not sure if I would want to spring for the Cortese or not. The raves over the Chenin are rather impressive. Who has heard both relatively recently and could comment? How much difference is there?

I have heard that the Cortese circuit (linestage part at least) is far more complex. IME, simple circuits with very high quality parts usually do all things well, if noise is kept down.

Noise is paramount as I use 100 dB speakers. Any comments on noise between the two? How about liquidity of midrange - that's probably goal #1.

I would like to read the whole thread but that will take awhile...

Hello Paul,

I will never own a Cortese. Not because of monetary issues but I just do not need one.

I use a Chenin FF preamp with Mullard 8080 and Amperex BB's on the phono section. I have an Altec 604-8G's in OB and 612C Altec cabs, a Fostex MLTL, and a Bozak Rhapsody. They are 100dB, 95 dB, and 92 dB respectively. I am very happy about the synergy and the preamp does not hum even at maximum gain settings (per channel) of the phono and minimum attenuation (full) of the linestage volume.

Before the Chenin, I was using a Wright Sound WPP100C. The Chenin phono is much much better than the Wright! No comparison! Besides, you need very quiet tubes on the WPP100C or you will hear "tube rush" or hiss as you increase the individual gain pots on it. Not a problem with the Chenin. Very quiet!

After that, I went a little "pie tasting" if you will. I had the Pass Xono, Hagerman Trumpet, and a heavily modified Hagerman Cornet II. I do not care for the Pass, The Trumpet was very nice, and i can get very close to the sound of the Trumpet with the Cornet II. So I sold the first two and kept the Cornet.

Like you, I played vinyl almost exclusively. Hell, check my equiptment page and you will see that I am telling the truth. Besides, now that I am on the SET/High Eff camp, hum issue is a no no to take advantage of the speakers high efficiency in order not to mask the small nuances that contributes to the listening experience.

My experiences in the context of my own system only of course!

regards,

Abe

Hello Abe, just checked out your system ...nice collection especially that Teres turntable.

I noticed you have the Linkwitz Orion open baffle loudspeaker, what's your honest opinion of it? I've been interested to try it out, is it as transparent as the Maggies or is it just cones & domes doing their usual thing? Also, does the OB bass go low enough for you (I notice you have separate subwoofers)...

Thanks,

Steve.