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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
dentdog's avatar
dentdog
498 posts
 
I made wholesale changes to my system in the last year and the last was addition of the Chardonnay. I basically asked Mick to make me the best preamp he could and parts upgrade where they would matter. I'm all tube and basically vinyl. But the Chardonnay didn't really add warmth so much as added dynamics. 
System will now sustain bass without a hint of running out of steam. It's there, it's solid, well defined  and carries the music with a great foundation. And being that the Chardonnay came last in the purchase sequence confirmed that my previous purchases were well selected. 
I could go on like a fanboy but enough. Wouldn't change a thing.

snopro
390 posts
 
The LTA is definitely on the cool side compared to a Supratek! I tried the first one that came out and didn’t like it at all. Maybe the newer ones are better.
highstream
207 posts
 
I think the coolness is baked in by design, based on exchanges with the LTA developer. Over the last several years the audio market has gravitated in good part to “neutral” as the standard, something that appeals to customers who listen more to the hardware (“sonic effects”) than those who primarily listen to the music. Mick has stuck to his guns.
rh67
307 posts
 
Decided i`m going to hang in there and wait for my Chardonnay. Thanks everyone for your input.
hicham
39 posts
 
@highstream, i read again your July 14th comment. Yes you are spot on. This explains my current enjoyment. Mick said to me the following: " The Preamp - Not a particular brand - is the premiere component in the system alongside the Speakers", this is for the sound you get. Now in my situation i did not know the potential of my system different source components until after all being controlled by this Cortese. This is when speaking about just the Preamp, for the LCR Phono section, that is another aspect that i'm yet to come to terms with its Superiority. Back to your bold statement, like many of us, i also have for many times - over the years - tried different preamps. It was allways, and allways the case of retraining my ears to the new sound, and also play with interconnects and cables to bring the sound of music to what my ears would favour! This time, the Cortese delivered it all with - like they say - with Amazing Grace. The Ears Love The Music it hear.
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