Supratek or Don Sachs - which way to go?

@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

The Modwright is a fine Preamp and particularly with good NOS tubes, it sounds fantastic. However It’s only when you compare it to the Supratek does one draw the conclusion it’s a little more grainy. Let’s put it other way..... the Supratek more; dynamic, palpable, smoother, organic with a bigger, deeper soundstage etc.... it’s  more like the real thing. You’ve got to hear it in the same system for comparison. I love any preamp that leverages a 6SN7, personally, I believe they are the best audio tube for preamps and power amp for driver positions too. Though I’ve never heard one, I’d bet I’d like the Shiit Freya too.

Those 40s Tung Sols sound out of this world, unfortunately they have a tendency in some circuits the be microphonic, yet in others it’s quiet. (Wyetech, ASL, and Supratek quiet, yet Modwright noisy) RCAs from all the eras I tried were quiet in no mater what pre I put them in. (unless they were altogether bad) It’s the nature of the beast.  I have no doubt that you can find tubes the stay quiet in the Modwright and last a long time. The factory tubes I started with were quiet, the SQ was not in the same league of the NOS tubes from the 50s or 60s though. As fine as the Modwright is with great NOS tubes, there are better Pre’s out the IMO.

Back to the OPs question, has anyone done a side by side with a Supratek and a Sachs? I would love to know what the differences are!

ianderson
Just for the record I wasn't being defensive about the Modwright I was just stating my experience. Again , thanks for providing your insights

I never heard Don Sachs preamp. I have a Supratek Sauvignon. 
It was modded with better parts but, the circuit wasn't changed. It is a wonderful piece and sounds great. I have it for about 13 years and is the only piece that I haven't changed, that says how much i love this piece.  Never had any problems in all those years. I'll never get rid of it

I have had my Supratek Cabernet 300B preamp for about ten years.Like others here a lot of other equipment has come and gone in that time but the Supratek has stayed.No other preamp I have tried sounds as 3D,as clear or as musically communicative.I recently compared it to a $20,000 Audio Flight Strumento preamp and as good as that is the Supratek was much better.