CAT vs. Aesthetix vs. Supratek - Preamp Choice

I can only speak to the CAT and the Supratek Cortese, as I have owned these and a set of Pks 57 Quads. The Cat worked with everything, MM and MC, etc and SS by Symphonic Line and Levinson 331, tubes by Jadis, Audio Valve Callenger with cryoed el-34s, Art Audio Jota.

The Cortese I heard and fell in love with was owned by the guy from whom I bought Wayne's Quads. He used Transition Tube amps and and Reference 3as (while waiting for a triple stack from Wayne!) After that, I looked for one for over 6 months and found one said to be "the best sounding one", that Mick's partner ever heard. It was liquid and smooth, (or was it slow, thick, lush, creamy), but out of my system in 3 DAYS! I've never had a unit move in and out so fast.

Go ahead guys, tell me all about my tin ears. I've been in high end for over 20 years and even sold gear for a while, so insults will be taken good naturedly...I trust my ears. I'm sure you trust yours.

I know those who have Suprateks love them, but I didn't like the Cortese nearly as much as the CAT (any of them) and my Emotive Audio Sira. I have heard and think that the lesser priced Suprateks have a similar family sound (so if you like it, go for it). I just didn't like the Cortese IN MY SYSTEM, even though I thought it might compliment or "slow down" my (very fast)VDH Black Beauty.
(I'd used Benz, Grado, naked Blue Points, Dynavector 17D with the CAT)

Older CATs are extremely inexpensive for what you get and Kent's service is fabulous.(I only needed one repair on one of the units in 5 years of ownership). I'm sure Suprateks must be great, I've heard one, but I sure didn't like the one I had in my system with VPI HRX, VDH, and Audio Valve Challengers/ Art Audio Jota with 300 B XLRS and Waynes Quads. CATs just seem more flexible/adaptable, but the Supratek IN MY FRIEND'S SYSTEM sure sounded good.

Jeff

For a change, I can respond with experience on each of your possibilities (almost). I have owned - in order of earlier to later - the CAT Ultimate, the Supratek Cortese, and the Aesthetix Janus. In my opinion - and obviously in my system and for my own tastes - the Janus is not only the best sounding of the three in nearly every regard, but is also far and away the most flexible. For example, I find the ability to switch polarity from the remote to be absolutely invaluable. I'm still amazed at the variability in apparent polarity of recordings, and at the improvement in sound when polarity is 'right'. Make no mistake, the CAT and the Cortese are both very good preamps, but the Janus simply does it all.

I recently compared the Supratek Chennin, CAT Ultimate, Supratek Cabernet, and Aesthetix IO phono stage all together the same day. For the line stage I thought the Cat and Chennin were neck and neck for 1st place. The Cabernet just sounded awful to me. No dynamics and a very unnatural tonal character. To be fair I dont think the Cabernet was completely broken in. To my surprise the phono stage of the Chennin held its own against the IO. The IO was better but not by a lot. Keep in mind this comparrison was not done on my own system and all other components in the system were unfamiliar. E mail me if you are interested in specifics.

Something to keep in mind. Tubes make a huge difference. The sound of my Cortese changed a great deal when I replaced tubes. I also use a Van Den Hul Black Beauty Sp x
with otl amps and esl speakers. The Cortese with some tube rolling in my system is quite incredible.

I have owned several CAT's. I now use the CAT Ultimate MK2.
I found that with the stock tubes (sovtek) the sound was analytic beyond the point of abrasive. When I installed NOS Ameperex 6922's (PQ White label) and Amperex 12AX7's,
the sound was improved immensely.

Bart