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Supratek Owners Thread

Greetings All - 
It appears that the 26-million-plus view, multi-decade "Preamp Deal of the Century" Supratek thread has been removed. I'm not sure why, but suppose there must be a reasonable explanation.
In any case, on that thread I recently asked whether there might be interest in a "Supratek owners thread" and received some interest. 
The purpose of this thread is for Supratek owners to share the details of their system, ask questions, share information about any tube-rolling they have done, and so forth.
I'll kick us off here with a few details about my system -
ancient Linn LP12 with Ittok arm, Dynavector 17D3 cartridge into Cortese LCR phono stage
Power amp is a fully serviced Innersound Electrostatic amplifier
Quad ESL63 speakers (not USA monitors) or JBL 4430 studio monitors
Digital sources are immature and evolving - ancient Fostex CR300 cd player/burner
DacMagic 100 DAC
Nordost Blue Heaven 75ohm interconnect
Due to the fairly long lengths of speaker wire required in the new listening room, speaker wire is Belden 12 gauge wire designed for low-voltage outdoor lighting systems. 
Next steps - dedicated circuit, new power cords, new interconnects, new wires.
128x128markusthenaimnut
longinc
35 posts
 
Hello Supratek owners,

I am upgrading my 15 year old VAC standard preamp. I pair it with my First Watt SIT 3 power amp. I am deciding between the Supratek Cabernet 6SN7 and the Linear Tube Audio MZ3 (using their linear power supply). I have reached out to a few on this thread directly about this comparison and they have been very helpful. And I thought I would pose this same question to a broader group in case you have had the opportunity to compare the MZ3 with one of the Supratek line stages. Cortese LCR is fine too (esp if you were using your non vinyl source) since according to Mick, the line stage in the Cortese LCR is the same as the Cabernet.  
For me I am optimizing for realism (accuracy in timbre, 3D imagery, musician/instrument presence - they are here presence) with a touch of warmth that doesn’t compromise realism. 
If you by chance  have heard these 2 preamps in the same power amp and speaker setup, I would appreciate your impressions.

Thank you!
luisma31
516 posts
 
I have the Supra at home, amazing preamp, dual stages, one warm stage one analytical, roll tubes and choose your poisson, it is a versatile preamp.
I haven't heard the LTA (don't know why I got confused with the David Berning one)


longinc
35 posts
 
@luisma31 

the LTA preamp and amp are based off David Berning’s OTL designs. He advised/designed for LTA.
luisma31
516 posts
 
That's why it rang a bell, I heard this preamp at the Florida Audio Show 2019? 2020? man I'm losing my memory (and did not get that C.....), I have been to the 2 florida audio shows anyways, it was good, and neutral, almost like my Atmasphere MP3 but "almost" not the same,

I get tired of saying this, for the money the Atmashere MP-3 is the best preamp on that class, if you like "realism" the LTA is a good choice, I would prefer the Supra Cab Dual as it could give me warmth + realism + bi amping, the LTA could be a little better (slightly better than the Supra) in neutrality but the Supra is a Swiss Army knife of a preamp. To me it is very very unique and Mick is a man that knows what he is doing.

Just my opinion of course.
But listen don't "listen" to the people in the forums, wait for the next audio show and see if you could audition the LTA and maybe get some more feedback on the Supra. I can make you a video with music from your favorite tracks if you want..... I will be setting back my Supra soon (maybe this week don't know yet)

luisma31
516 posts
 
I see you posted on teajays ZOTL thread, that makes sense, the thing is you are comparing preamps that are targeted for either the neutral, realistic, studio crow or the warmth euphonics mushrooms crowd.
The thing with the Supra is I prefer it so far on the 6SN7 stage, I wanted to experience the DHT stage but I was surprised how good the 6SN7 with its stock tubes is.
I am a tube roller but 2 preamps shown me that the tube it does not matter if the designer built the preamp around a specific tube set.

Take Ralph, his preamps with the stock Chinese Shuguang orange base 6SN7 is almost perfect, I tried the others and yeah you get different flavors but the stock tubes are very good and for comparisons I always go to these.
Mick with his EH tubes wow, you need to hear it to believe it.

Neither Ralph or Mick speak much about tubes and tube rolling, they say that yes sound could be improved but their preamps are excellently designed even around the stock tubes.

I wish I could remember the tubes on the ZOTL, very very neutral, not detailed but that could have been the source most likely and very musical and..... Let me find a good adjective, circumspect? Polite?



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