Preamp Deal of the Century

Jeff is absolutely right! The Supratek (if too many options are added) can be a dog. While the circuit Mick designed is relatively simple, additions like "theater throughput", single box chassis, XLR outputs, remote control, etc. In the early XLR equipped units, Mick used the wrong connectors - and added some kind of transformer which was supposed to boost the XLR output and at the same time lowering gain to accomodate what he thought was the "right" way to do theater throughput. The results were not exactly great. I think Mick has resolved some of the issues but I expect that the more you add to the original specification the more potential you have for problems.

Also, Mick builds all the preamps by hand and as fast as possible which has at times resulted in paint drips, loose/cold solder joints, etc. Much of this trouble happened in a time when Mick was turning orders around in 2 weeks - today Mick has upped the turn around time and I think it's now 3 months.

He has a great product and I hope his current business plan includes much better quality control. Again, I want to reinforce Jeff's comments above. Do some research and talk to Mick about it before you order - or while waiting... :)

Well, hats off to all the contributors and especially Bwhite (again), for a fantastic and well-balanced discussion. I reviewed the website a while ago, but thought the goods were too good to be true - looks like we might have a winner here. To make things a little bit more complicated, I see that the designer is coming out with new preamp (the "Grange") and high-power amp (the "Burgandy") designs. Just when I thought the choices would be easy, we get more :) .

Hey, what a great excuse to visit the land down under; the wife gets the beach, the kids see kangaroos, and the old man gets to bring home some nice (heavy) souvenirs.

arooj
NYC

Arooj, You weren't kidding!!! Mick has a few surprises for later this year!!
http://www.cantech.net.au/~supra/highpower.html

I wonder what the ticket price will be?

Well let's just hope that Mick can keep up with it all. Very ambitious for a one man shop. I am also very intrigued by what I have read here and elsewhere. I am damn near ready to order the Syrah and I don't mind waiting 3 months but...what is this business about quality control problems, is it prevelant or just isolated? Bwhite, you have been the eloquent spokesman on this thread, could you fill us in on the details?

Fist of all, buying a Supratek is not like buying a product from a "big name" manufacturer where you can expect that every unit produced will be identical and in most respects "flawless" visually. Mick builds each item individually and therefore each of his creations is in some ways unique. Things like sloppy paint jobs (a couple drips) on the piano black finish - or blotches in the varnish have been in my experience, standard equipment. Miscellaneous problems with wiring and solering can also be a part of the product you receive. Chips in the paint from a rough delivery are likely as well.

Mick being a "One Man Shop" is really no excuse for these issues. If anything, his quality should be BETTER as a result. NOT worse!!

Keep in mind that since I received my second preamp, Mick made a lot of changes in the ways he does things. Mick will pay for the repair of your preamps if they are not electrically sound but I don't know what he does if the finish is not up to your expectations. Just know that even with paint drips and smudges, the Supratek is still one of the prettiest preamps available in the world today.

Also, Mick resides in a highly unpopulated area in Western Australia which has nearly no RFI/EMI. When your Supratek with its unsheilded wire arrives in a big US city you may experience buzzing. Your Supratek will not be as quiet when idle as any mainstream electronic gear. This is not the Supratek's strong point. Between it and the NOS tubes you're likely to use with it, you must expect at the very least some microphonics and tube "hiss".

Adding any aftermarket options will cause problems for Mick. He has no way of testing some of the crazy things we consumers come up with but will most likely attempt to do them for you as a service - because he isn't making much money on each unit and needs the business!