Preamp Deal of the Century

Cello - if you're Cortese is like mine, it uses E180F (6688)and 6922 tubes for the phono section.

The stock Cortese tubes are actually pretty good compared to the expensive NOS variety. The differences in sound resulting from changes in phono tubes is less than the differences produced by the line stage tubes.

I've tried quite a few and I think the Telefunken CCa's in the 6922 position are (so far) the best for me. I use Mullard E180F's I picked up for 10 bucks on Ebay and they're okay... not much different than the stock tubes.

hope this helps.

I hope that you receive yours too. It is simply amazing! People who posted their positive experiences here are right on the money! You will forget the period spent waiting once you hear the preamp out of the box!

Very special indeed! Currently, I am using the ff(pictures in my system link).

Tungsol 5881's
RCA Red Base 5692
Sovtek 5AR4 (Mullard metal base in transit already!)
Tungsol 6C4 and Amperex BB 6DJ8 for phono.

I am not worthy to own this preamp IMHO!

cheers

Correction:

The post above is directed to Stiltskin!

Thanks!

Hello Amandarae!I am truly happy for you... I have not received my Chenin yet...Oh well,Last contact I had with Mick was April 24th, He told me that it should of been done by now and that he got diverted on building a new amp., to match up with the Chenin/Chardonnay models...As for my pre....Mick said two/four weeks max.Thats fine,To date, the only part of my aged system that is left is my Quad 63s ,My Linn went last week, I am searching out a killer turntable arm and cartridge... The short list for a turntable is Teres, Origin Live, Nottingham,V.P.I...This is alot of fun...The amps are going to be easy... One of Micks or David Bernings... I am moving like a herd of turtles on this new system, perhaps by the end of summer or later my sweety and I will be cutn rugs late into the night...again...

Stiltskin,

Wow! You are "busy" my friend!

I have the Teres TT. I love it and the synergy with the Supratek phono stage (sans cartridge) is very very good.
I like to get the Berning amps someday. As of now, I cannot afford it. Besides I am exploring the SET route with my DIY Fostex base Transmission Line speakers. I am waiting for my 300B amp and see how it matches with the Chenin.

I really hope that you can get your Chenin preamp very soon. The phono stage is a real "killer" as Slowhand put it on the very first post of this thread. Fortunately for us the Chenin phono incorporates the Cortese phono design. Cheaper tubes(6C4 and 6922) than getting a WE 5842 nowadays in the market IMHO. As for the linestage, well, I am speechless!