Preamp Deal of the Century

Saint- the issue is that the phono stage is very high gain and the whole pre uses unshielded wires. The unit can pick up hum from its own power supply, or from other transformers in your rig. You may have to experiment, but in general, try to keep the phono input cables AND the control portion of the pre as far away as is reasonably possible from the power supply. Keep the main remote removed from other transformers as well, and make sure the line ins only cross a power cord at right angles. Make sure you tone arm leads are grounded to the pre. Of course, there's also the possibility of ground loop hum, but that's another issue.

Anyone know if the phono in the Syrah will be upgradable to the new revision in the chenin?

thanks,

Todd

Todd,

Contact Mick. In that case you will get a definite answer.

cheers....

Todd
Tim here, I talked with Mick, and the Chenin is the upgraded phono version of the Syrah. The Syrah is no longer produced. It is the same price $2500.00 until April 1st then the price will be $2900.00. I know this because I just ordered one. I hope this helps.

Regards Tim

Whew, after the better part of last evening and this evening, I just finished reading this very profuse thread. Having enjoyed its eclectic and congenial repartee, I do appreciate all the contributions, but I have a few questions.

I would consider my rig to be one of high resolution and eminently listen able, but it is sans a pre-amp.

What might I expect a pre-amp, and especially a Supratek to do for me? That is, I am running a Wadia 861 direct into CAT JL1 amps. How can additional circuitry, interconnects, etc. help the sonics of my system? BTW, the CAT’s are driving Soundlab M1’s.

Has anyone heard a pre with and without the remote option? Does having it affect/detract from the sonics?

Would using the HT pass-through with my Wadia be equivalent to running direct to the Amps as I am now doing? Other than additional cabling (and the sonic signature of same) --in comparison to my currently direct method -- would I observe any changes in resolution, imaging, soundstage, frequency response etc. by using the direct pass-through? BTW, I picked up on this concept from a previous submittal, but would appreciate confirmation of the pristine pass-through concept, if perchance the Wadia and line stage were not to my liking.

One final question, given that synergy is a very important element of our hobby, would running a CAT Signature or Ultimate pre-amp (vs a Supratek) with my CAT monoblocks be the logical choice (and why am I thinking of a Supratek)? On paper, CAT-to-CAT would be appear to be most synergistic combination, but obviously, paper has nothing to do with the etherealness we are seeking. I did notice some mention of comparisons between the Supratek pre’s vs CAT’s, but read no discussion of the differences. Someone with the experience of hearing both these pre’s, and the desire to discuss same, would be appreciated. Of course, if you feel a discussion of these differences/similarities would impede the flow of this discussion, by all means, please contact me via my e-mail.