Supratek or Don Sachs - which way to go?

ianderson,
Can you expound further on what you hear as the differences between the Chenin and the LS100?
Also, any idea which current Supratek is the "equivalent" model to the Chenin?

@facten, according to a 6 Moons review of the Supratek Chardonnay, the Chenin includes a phono stage and line stage. So the Chenin might correspond to the Cortese.

As I said earlier, I have had Don's preamp for several years now, and it is by far the best preamp I have ever had in my system.   It is the last preamp I can ever imagine acquiring.  

@facten 

The Syrah was replaced by the Chenin around 2003. The main difference was the tubes used in the preamp phono section and the Chenin uses the Cortese phono circuit. The Chardonnay model is the current line stage iteration with no Phono section. I think the Cortese would be the closest current model with Phono. Call Mick to be sure.

Forgive me as is been 18 month since I did a direct comparison between the Modwright and the Supratek. (I should do another soon) What I do remember is in areas of dynamics, palpability, tonal presentation the Supratek was clearly superior. More meat on the bones, it pulled you into the music better. A warmer presentation too. The Modwright was a flatter, less engaging presentation and was somewhat grainy comparatively. This in spite of the fact I rolled RCA’s 40-60s, Sylvanians, Tung Sols from the 40s. The other odd thing is the Modwright would expose microphonics in tubes that were dead quiet in the preamps. The Modwright is a good piece, my findings are the Supratek is a step up, and the Wyetech be better still to my ears, and systems.

@ianderson

Thanks for your response.

I have the Modwright .  I will say that I have never had any issues with tube microphonics coming through (have used NOS RCA and Sylvania; and new production Sophia Electric and Shuguang Black Treasures ); also haven't experienced a grainy texture. That being said I'm always interested in upgrading my listening experience so I appreciate your sharing your experience with your preamps as possible options