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Options to replace Supratek Chennin Pre

Looking for suggestions for a replacement pre for my Supratek Chennin Preamp. I absolutely love most everything about this pre except in my system it is slightly lean. I would like to stay with tubes unless the nature of tube pres is to be a little lean. HT pass thru is a requirement. The Supratek has a HT pass thru and I love how simple it is to backdoor HT through the hi fi. Price range will be about $3,500.00 new or used. I want something that will retain or exceed the holographic, open, precise sound stage that the Supra offers but with more slam and extension in the bass. I recently pulled the pre out of the system and ran direct from the wadia 861 and bass slam was improved to an exceptable degree but obviously lost all benefits of tubes.
System:
Wadia 861
Supratek
Parasound JC 1s
Vandy 3A sig
2WQ subs
Audioquest Cheetah, Cardas Golden Cross intercon
Alphacore MI2 spk cable bi wired
braro
ikkyu2
35 posts
 
Braro, you haven't mentioned what rectifier tube you are using. They make a huge difference in extracting the best from all of the other tubes in the Supratek.

The Sovtek 5AR4 is junk. For $40 you can step up to the Bendix 6106. You'll find better tone top to bottom, and better bass as well. For real bass punch, a Philips Miniwatt GZ34 will shock you.

Also, if you're running the stock Sovtek 5881, replace with the Sovtek KT-66. Again another $40. Big pay off.

Those two additions will help your RCAs show their stuff.

Best wishes,
ckorody
643 posts
 
amen - the right rectifier tube changes everything on every pre and amp I've owned - not all that many but I am starting to develop an opinion!!!
braro OP
87 posts
 
Running all stock tubes except the RCAs of course. Ok stupid question.... the rectifier tube is the one in the power supply right? I will try replacing the rectifier and Sovteks. Ikkyu2 are the tubes your referring to NOS?
fiddler
581 posts
 
The Bendix 6106 and 5AR4 rectifier make a substantial change to the Supratek (I prefer the 6106). And NOS regulators make a MUCH bigger difference in my Chardonnay than any NOS 6SN7!
jtgofish's avatar
jtgofish
515 posts
 
The Van den Hul carbon fibre interconnects will give a richer,fuller,bigger sound without having to change your preamp.
Otherwise a Suptatek Cabernet with TJ 300b meshplate tubes will give you the least lean sound you can probably encounter.
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