Michaelc2020- thanks for the offer!.. Never been to Maine, I’m convinced the SIT-3 is special.
Preamp help please!
Recently I have been using the Supratek Sauvignon in conjunction with a First Watt SIT-3 and Klipsch Cornwall lV speakers. I really liked the combination. The other day I repositioned the preamp on my rack and the Supratek stopped functioning. I was planning on having the unit overhauled for a noisy left channel and capacitor upgrades anyway so this has hastened that eventuality. The gentleman doing the servicing usually takes his time and I expect this process to take 3-4 months, so in the meantime I installed My Coincident Statement MK1. The Statement linestage has a pair of original equipment Shuguang 101D’s. I was disappointed in the lack of body/tone/texture to the sound compared to the Supratek 6sn7.
Would a pair of WE NOS 101D’s help this preamp have more body/tone/texture? Or should I find another 6sn7 preamp? Suggestions?
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@coachpoconnor I hadn't read your entire op. NOS WE101D tubes will be very difficult to fine. Forget about the Psvane WE unless you can find proper seller. The Linalai I spoke of will be great improvement in the qualities your seeking. I can say this about the Statement pre. It is not in realm of warm, full sounding tube components. Far more about resolution/transparency. I had Israel upgrade mine to MkII status along with Amtrans volume selector, I further diy modded with Audio Note Seiryu film caps and Takman carbon film resistors, these replaced Nichicon Fine Gold and generic metal oxide respectively. The MkII upgrade along with the upgraded tubes will get you far more of traits you're looking for. AN and Takman added a bit more of these traits, above and beyond the MkII.
In this configuration i can't imagine anyone finding it lacking in traits your seeking. Greatest liability at present is relatively few choices in 101 tube. |
I should add combo of Statement, First Watt and Klpsch Heritage won't provide max of sound traits you're seeking. I understand you heard more of these traits with Supratek vs Statement in concert with your other existing components. Per previous post MkII and other upgrades will get you closer, as to vs Supratek, I can't say. I don't know if should assume you were satisfied with Supratek/FW/Klipsch, but if you were, I'd first go for Linalai solid plate and see how far that gets you. Only then should you consider other pre's or upgrade of Statement.
The greatest deficiency I see in your present setup in providing for max of traits you're seeking is the FW. Klipsch Heritage and tube amps are much more sympathetic setup than SS. In defense of FW, it would be my first choice for SS and Klipsch Heritage. A 300B amp in combo with either of your present two pre's will provide all you're looking for.
I can only say my setup with Khorns, 300b or 845 SET's and Statement doesn't lack a single bit in traits you're seeking. |
I am very familiar with the 6SN7 tube and like it a lot, however it is simply has quite a different sonic signature from the 101D. Really two distinct characters and presentation. Based on my own listening the 101d is the epitome of a linear, transparent very high resolution tube. In my system paired with a very high quality 300b SET, tonal body and timbre of instruments and human voice is superb. The 101D will beautifully preserve natural tone richness and color but will not gratuitously contribute. So depending on the matching components and speakers in the signal chain one may or may not need some additional warmth or fullness. There are far more 6SN7 line stages/preamplifiers available than there are 101D. Definitely excellent 6SN7 choices amongst them as well. 101D offers brilliant and pure sound quality but it won't sound like a 6SN7, just 2 distinct sonic animals. Charles |
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