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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.
markusthenaimnut
jackd
1,091 posts
 

@aldnorab 

 

I only had a chance to listen to the Cabernet for about 10 days in the SC system before I had to leave town so no where near broken in at less than 75 hours.  But based on that brief listen to it in the same system the Sachs was in and almost three years of the Chardonnay if nothing else changed the Cabernet would be closer in "sonic signature".  That as you know can be varied a bit with tubes but not but so much.  I could easily live with either one but my curiosity got the best of me. 

aldnorab
181 posts
 

@jackd this gives me a good idea how the D. Sachs compares with the Supratek models. Your comparison Helps a lot. Buying a second Supratek also speaks highly of their sound quality.

@jslateiv  appreciate your explanation of the circuitry differences between the Chardonnay and Cabernet. I agree that hand built items are works of art and can be passed down thru the ages. 

I didn't realize the chrome and copper were different cosmetic choices. Thought it was chrome plated copper, possibly used as chassis shielding. I'm fine with black powder coat. 

 

Thanks everyone,

aldnorab 

jackd
1,091 posts
 

@aldnorab 

If you own or plan on owning an amp whose input sensitivity is a good match for the current Sachs preamps 18db gain then it is a fine preamp.  If you like to swap amps around or don't know what you may be drawn to in the future then the Supratek's adjustable gain gives it the edge on that front plus the balance control.  To my ears though in both of my systems there is just something different about the Supratek sound that just draws me into the music differently.  Though their character may be slightly different it applies to both models I own.  The greater flexibility with the increasingly more expensive 6SN7 tubes is just a bonus.  

jslateiv
64 posts
 

The Chrome is plated over a copper chassis.   He used to offer a straight copper that was polished (pics on his website) but did away with it.  There is a ‘antique copper’ finish that is more a copper/hammertone type finish over a copper chassis. It looks really good.   The powder coat finishes are all on steel chassis.  Both will give some level of shielding as they are grounded but the copper gets the edge there.  I think you’d be hard to tell a diff. in SQ between the 2 honestly.   Get what looks best to you or works with your budget.  

aldnorab
181 posts
 

@jslateiv thanks for the clarification. Bet the hammertone copper was incredible looking. I'm fine with powder coat black.

Thanks,

Doug A

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