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!
