Supratek Owners Thread

If you already have 6sn7 and equivalents you like I would just go with that. If you get curious about 6j5 tubes you can always use an adapter to go from 1 6sn7 to 2 6j5. 

If you are someone that likes experimenting with tubes you might want to get your preamp switchable between 6v and 12v. It costs extra but it has allowed me to try out some tubes that I couldn’t before. The 12sx7 are a stand out and I was actually able to buy several pairs of TS round plate 12sn7 tubes for a reasonable price. 

So either I am really stupid or the Cabernet has one of the most epic transformations with burn in ever. I have complained multiple times about how my Cabernet preamp couldn’t handle the 4v output of my DAC via its balanced inputs. Well, I tried it again all these months later on a whim and its fine.

All I can figure is that I was on the wrong input when I did my initial test. I have noticed that there is quite a bit of bleed between inputs. If you put as signal in on one input you can hear it if you select an other input. That obviously isn’t a big deal because you won’t be playing multiple inputs at the same time. But when I first hooked the Cabernet into my system I thought it was really quiet and very distorted. Then I tried a different input and it got MUCH louder. That’s how I knew I had been on the wrong input. The signal was still really compressed and distorted though. 

Did I really not try another input originally? I find that hard to believe but it is the most likely explanation. So yeah, the Cabernet is fine with higher input levels on the balanced connection.

My 6 month evaluation of the Cabernet is that I love it. Took me a while to sort things out but now my old preamp sounds downright harsh. I have found that tube selection makes a huge difference. I’ve also found that when I change tubes in the Cabernet I have to change tubes downstream too.

For example, the TS round plate 12sn7 sounds amazing as long as I use a tall 7n7 input tube in my amp (Inspire KT88 Firebottle) and use 6v6 outputs. If I just pop some 807 tubes into the amp it doesn’t sound very good until I change the input tube. If I use Raytheon 6f8g tubes in the Cabernet I can’t get sound I really like unless I put in e3375 tubes in the output. 12sx7 tubes in the Cabernet I really like an RCA 6sn7 in the input tube of the amp and 6ar6 tubes in the output. And on and on. Once I dial in the system it sounds amazing but every change requires changes elsewhere to get sound I like.

The switch that allows me to use both 6v and 12v tubes cost an extra $500. That gave me pause but I think it was worth it in the end. I have been able to get several pairs of TS round plate 12sn7 at reasonable prices. That probably evened out the price right there. On top of that I was able to get the so-called “bad boy”  Sylvania tubes with little trouble. I can also use tubes that aren’t available as 6sn7 like the 12sx7 and the 14n7. The latter have extra support rods as compared tp the 7n7 and 6sn7. If you already have a good collection of 6sn7 tubes maybe the 12v switch won’t make sense for you but if you are starting out I recommend it. 

Thanks. Not sure I'll go for the mod when I go up to the Cabernet, but I'll have to discuss that with Mick. Because I use powered speakers, the Chardonnay is downstream from a Lampi dac for me, and with the Treasure Globes (Grant Fidelity), I had to change from a USAF 596 to the Sophia Aqua 274B to get the  bit of warmth I wanted. I don't see changing tubes for the Cabernet to start with. Hope it stays that way because after all those older tubes I really like this combo.

Close to adding a Supratek Chardonnay to my system. I'm confused about a few things.

1. The Supratek sponsored ad on Audiogon, shows a knob on the top panel. The Supratek website shows the more expensive wood & chrome finish with no knob? Is there some Sonic difference between the two units or is it all cosmetics?

2. I'm new to buying on Audiogon. I see a place to make offer, but no where to actually buy the Chardonnay. 

3. Is there truly a chance of getting a Chardonnay in a months time? 

4. Will this work well with a VTL ST150 tube amp?

Thanks,

aldnorab