Preamp Deal of the Century


If anyone is looking for a true "World Class" preamp at a very fair price..heed my advice. I just recieved a Supratek Syrah preamp that was hand built by Mick Maloney in Western Australia, and it is absolutely beautiful! This preamp is the best deal you will ever find. I would put it up against any preamp out there for both looks and sound. Price? $2500 for the Syrah (includes Killer Phono stage). Not into phono? Try the Chardonney line stage for $2100. Don't get me wrong, I am not associated with this company. I am just a very happy owner! This preamp is VERY dynamic, yet liquid. It conveys the sound of music better than any other preamp that I have ever heard! You can check out the Supratek website at www. cantech.net.au
slowhand
Have anyone here ever compare any of the SupraTeks to the Ayre K1-X? In my system the Ayre was head and shoulders above preamplifiers in the likes of ML 32, CJ premier 16ls, and the Hovland in A/B comparisons.
Hello all:
I feel humbled and extremely privileged to soon be joining such an august fraternity as the posters on this thread which I've read avidly for many months. Mick emailed today and advised that the Syrah I ordered around Christmas last year was ready for shipping. Only it's no longer a Syrah but a Chenin - same line stage but the phono stage has some tricks from the Cortese. I'm so looking forward to getting the pre amp I can barely type. To quote the King: " My hands are shakin' and my knees are weak ... Who do you thank when you have such luck? ... Uhh, I'm all shook up". More will follow once I receive the Chenin.
I have a Cortese that uses 6J5's in the linestage. I've had good experience (detail, dynamic, without giving up too much warmth) with Sylvania 6J5GT/G NOS, GZ37 as rectifier and Sylvania 6L6WGB or C as regulators. One of my 6J5s is slightly microphonic and before I hunt more down I was wondering if anyone else experimented with rolling 6J5s in a Cortese?
I´ve tried all the rectifiers we were talking about : Mullard GZ32, GZ37 and GZ34. I´ve tried also the Bendix 6106 Red Bank.
IMHO the best of all, the absolute king in rectifiers is the Philips Miniwatt GZ34, metal base from the 50´s. Combined with Sylvania 6F6G and Kend Rad 6SN7GT NAVY makes a beautiful big sound full of detail and subtlety.
Aibo, since no one's answering your questions, I'll try. I don't have neither the Cortese or the Ayre K1x, so take this with a grain of salt. I have listen to both in my co-worker's system briefly. They are two different preamplifier, the COrtese is warm and smooth, not as much detail and a speed as the Ayre. The ayre doesn't make everything golden like the Cortese, but it's gotta have the blackest background and the most transparent of any pre I have ever heard. If I had the funds, I would try to audition the Ayre, a very overlooked pre. As with any component, system matching and auditioning is very important.