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
I am another very happy Supratek owner. I have 2 close audio buddies that bought after hearing mine and their systems have been transformed profoundly as well. They will be removing my cold dead hands from mine before I give it up, heheheh Still have not found anything I like better...beleive me I have tried. Sorry for your experience there Maril. Sucks to get burned. I hope you get resolution one way or another. I still have some unfinished business with Mick but am fairly confident based on my history and communication with him and Supratek.

Maril, I just want to comment on the pieces you found better than the Supratek...Doshi Alaap, Nagra PL-P, BAT REX. WTF these are all like, what 12K+... I hope they are better .! At those prices they better not only sound better but better swallow too. hehehe Name some better 4K-7K pieces and I might be able to comment as I have probably auditioned them at length.... to no avail, I have 25 dealers within 1 hour of my house. I still have my Supratek. Also to even mention siblance and supratek in the same sentence... all I can think is what else is in your system.

cheers and good listening. Oh and good luck again.
Maril
Correct if I'm wrong, regarding the "hype" of this six year old thread.
Are you saying you were suckered in, or maybe hypnotized by the hype and bought a Cortese preamp then later put an order in for Supratek amps?

Your comment here of the Nick Dosi preamp and Cortese preamp of 11-24-07 reveals a totally differant story and attitude.

I for one would not of waited a year before bringing an issue like this up for all to read.
However it's not clear what final arrangement Mick made with you over these damaged amps.

Did you save any of Micks e-mails for us to read?
Stiltskin,
You are right to a certain degree- I made my decision solely based on this thread, when I first bought Chenin.
Then the whole sibilance issue became my reality. I tried to deal with it by all possible means- NOS tubes, room treatments, support system, new speakers- NO LUCK.
Then I (wrongly) decided, that Cortese might be a better preamp with regards to sibilance, and combined with Supratek power amps ( I was blaming poor synergy with my then BAT-75SE), will give me the sound, I was looking for.That's how I've made that decision.
Soon after, I happened to find Doshi up for sale, and decided to try it.
What exactly is in my post from 11-24-07 conveys "a totally different story"? I did say Cortese was more dynamic, and served music ina different fashion, which is absolutely true, and I stand by that statement today. What to the sibilance- not one of the subsequent preamps in my system, Nagra, BAT exhibited a slightest trace of it, being equally as musical, expressive and resolving, as Cortese.
I think I still have some of Mick's e- mails, and I post them later.
Arkio,
You are right, all of them are more expensive retail, but when was the last time, you paid a full retail price at a dealer? There are two Nagra PL-Ps for sale now for $5300 and $5900, as we speak. And don't forget, Mick sold direct, with no dealer network.
If you are happy with your Supratek,and like the way it colors music, that doesn't make it the best out there by any means.
I'm not saying, that there is anything wrong with somebody liking certain colorations. My point is and was, that I could not listen to it in my system.
I have no doubts in my mind, that everybody has different level of sensitivity to this particular type of coloration.
So your comment to the absense of coloration in Supratek cannot possibly change my own extensive experience with it, and actually bears aquestion:'WHAT ELSE IS IN YOUR SYSTEM???"
Maril, if you don't like the Supratek sound, that is fine. But please... don't pull the "if you like that of coloration" card...

Most Supratek owners are very experienced audiophiles who are familliar with good preamps. These are very neutral and transparent preamps. There is not the slightest bit of sibilance distortion in my system, in various rooms, with various amps, speakers, etc.
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