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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
gryphongryph
392 posts
 
Hi, I posted this in the Supratek or Don Sachs - which way to go? thread, though I would post it here also.
I got my Cabernet a few weeks ago now, very happy with the quality of construction and the sound is very good, one thing I have noticed is that after a week or so I started noticing hiss from the woofer on my Graham Audio LS 6/9, I am sure it was not there before and I sounds like it is the woofers not tweeters, have not tried the 300b output again since trying it out the second day of ownership, for me the 6SN7 output sounded better and more resolving.
Could the tubes gone bad already ?
A family member did shot down the Hi-Fi the right way, but pre amp first, which gave a small thump from the speakers, but no damage to speakers, I have noticed that I have to wait 3-5 min after my Belles SA30 class A amp has been turned off before turning of my Cabernet, otherwise I hear a small thump and sucking noises from both speakers, if waiting a few minutes everything is fine. My speakers are 87db so I would thing the amp to be totally quiet.
Will investigate in the weekend, but if anyone has any input, I would be grateful.


sc2
101 posts
 
Congrads on your new Cabernet!
Is it both woofers? if one, swap amp cables, does it follow or stay?Try removing the tubes and cables and reinserting them...
try different cables and wall outlet
gryphongryph
392 posts
 
Yes, it is both speakers, I will try some stuff out this weekend, unfortunately I at this moment do not have an other power amp or tubes to try, will try the 300b output first, I don’t mind some tube noise, but I just thought it sounding louder than it maybe should.
Very happy with pre music wise, truly wonderful to listen too.
jayrossi13's avatar
jayrossi13
188 posts
 
@gryphongryph 

Does your Cabernet have a mute switch and, if so, is it active on the 6SN7 circuit?

If you answered "yes" to these questions, you can flip the mute switch prior to powering off any equipment and you'll avoid the thumping sound. 
gryphongryph
392 posts
 
It has, but only on the 300B output.
That is the only small disappointment when buying, I had the understanding that both outputs could be adjusted or at least the 6SN7 output as that was the reason for buying the Cabernet and the 300B would be a bonus.
Maybe Mick should make other buyers aware of that.
I have only listened shortly at the 300B output, will try to get a better listen over the Easter holidays 
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