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

Celebration Day. In this week I received a Mike Maloney Supratek Cortese LCR Preamp.

It brought out the best from the Rogue Audio M180 amps, and the B&W 803 D2 speakers.

The LCR Phono opened many horizons for the VPI SSM 10D tonearm with the Black Quintet Ortofon Cartridge.

Ultra Transparent Preamp with Authority.

Very Quiet. The LCR Phono section is a stroke of a Genius designer. What a Preamp !

Joseph

Supratek – Cortese LCR by Mick Maloney – June 2020

I’m writing this here in appreciation of my brand new “Supratek Cortese LCR” Preamp by Mick Maloney.

I have had - over the years - a few other famous preamps in my Home Audio System, nevertheless I took note of the extraordinary reviews that were submitted by every Supratek preamp owner.

Add to this listening to the preamp at a respected Audio reviewer’s own system.

I contacted Mr Mick Maloney. I learnt substantial information before placing my order for the preamp with the LCR phono section.

Now, my listening experience is completely upgraded to a level, I thought - in the past – that I will never reach. That level that I marvel about inside Audio shows rooms and with very expensive equipment.

When compared with my previous preamps; This Cortese LCR -by Mick- has lifted a very thick veil from the music I listen to and presented each music instrument as I’d love to hear.

This is because the newly created Sound Stage is multi-dimensional. The separation and transparency are of high level that I can listen to deep instrumental harmonies that I was not aware of.

Now I can follow the Bass line clearly. It is fully articulate, impactful and with precision.

The Mid-range is full bodied and with emotional effect, we get absorbed in the new music experience.

With my wife we were astonished to listen again to “Patricia Barber’s You & The Night& The Music”. The Bass line chords, Piano and her Voice are Top Notch. Just Can’t be better.

Mick handpicked a blend of different vacuum tubes to ensure producing the above described sound together with the sweetest treble delivered from my B&W Diamond tweeters.

The LCR Phono section is a wonder to describe it, but it is very and very quiet.

Also, the separate Power Supply is very quiet. Nothing but an elegant piece with glowing tubes

The LCR Phono section of this Cortese Preamp creates an Elegant atmosphere in the room and presents the music from the record in a way that is drawing our full attention realizing the unique pleasure and experience now at hand.

I’m not exaggerating to describe the feeling but to say: it is like watching in awe – from a middle seat in Row 4 - a well-produced musical act. This is it!

These were comments, and our opinion after listening to Side three of the Beautiful Double Record “Progy & Bess” by "Ray Charles & Cleo Laine".

It is something in this life to listen to the Cortese LCR presentation of: "Crab Man", "Here Comes The Honey Man", and "Strawberry Woman".  Fantastic and very melodic Bass line. Charming little percussion instruments. Electric Piano delivering Hypnotic Jazz Notes.

But the vocals of both icons are delivered to thrill the Souls. Period!

I’d like to thank Mick Maloney for a Masterpiece of an Audio Preamp.

Well hand crafted. A joy to look at. A stroke of a Genius.

Period !

Joseph

Sydney - Australia

Great report. What do you mean by Mick handpicked the tubes to get a sound? Did you provide the desired goal or was this his normal process of choosing that you like?
  • @highstream 
  • Perfectly said. My interaction with Mick was like this:
  • Initial Contact of expression of interest in LEARNING his views on Preamp selection Vs my Amps Vs my speakers.
  • The Sound i would enjoy at 70 dB SPL in the late quite hours of the evening + a Humble description of the type of Music i typically listen to. In this case it is Jazz.
  • The outcome product is very successful for the Ears & Eyes for both of my wife - i allways involve her in my passion - and myself.
i must also to acknowledge you all here. You have educated me. You have opened my eyes towards a Huge Joy. And this to happen in this now famous 2020.








@highstream @hicham 
Here's what I think Joseph means regarding the "handpicked tubes" - the Supratek sounds incredible with the stock tubes. And Mick has carefully auditioned all the usual suspects to identify high-value, solid-performing, reliable tubes that he can purchase in quantity. That's the way I've felt about my Cortese, though I have done some tube rolling.

I was very intrigued to read the comments on tube-rolling earlier in this thread and, based on that input I'll probably track down some Melz 1578s and a pair of the Shuguang WE6SN7 plus tubes, just for fun. At present I'm listening to a gorgeous pair of CBS 5962s. They sound wonderful.

All the best,
Markus