After Bwhite's suggestion that a DACT attenuator could possibly improve the Supratek, I decided to install the DACT CT-1 (100K Ohm) attenuator that I originally purchased for my Foreplay preamp kit (never built it).
BTW, my unit came with an Alps Blue 100K pot.
Well, I installed it Monday morning and it took all of 45 minutes. Easiest upgrade I think I have ever done and I am a true neophyte with this stuff!
I will cut to the chase. The improvement is stunning. I won't bore you with a long littany of the usual audiophile verbiage, I will simply say if you don't do this easy mod you will never hear what the Supratek is truly capable of. I was hoping there would be a noticeable improvement, but I was listening to a different preamp after the mod than before the mod.
The stock pot was masking the soul of this preamp and consequently the soul of the music. I sat listening to music this morning that I had heard numerous times before and I simply couldn't believe how much more music was there. Okay, a few worn-out cliches. Much greater transparency, lower noise-floor, the music was much smoother and just seemed to flow. The soundstage was noticeably deeper and a haze seemed to be missing. Really wasn't aware a haze was there until it was gone. Wait to you hear cymbals with the DACT !
Also the tonality was improved with the notes being produced much more solidly. Everything simply seems richer, fuller, more 3D...okay enough already, you get the point.
If you can solder, you can do this mod, it's that easy. It will be the best 150 bucks you ever spent.
BTW, at each step there is a burn in period of the resistor, but things get really, really good within an hour of being on a step. And I assume the DACT may improve even more with time.
Thanks for the suggestion Bwhite !!!!
BTW, my unit came with an Alps Blue 100K pot.
Well, I installed it Monday morning and it took all of 45 minutes. Easiest upgrade I think I have ever done and I am a true neophyte with this stuff!
I will cut to the chase. The improvement is stunning. I won't bore you with a long littany of the usual audiophile verbiage, I will simply say if you don't do this easy mod you will never hear what the Supratek is truly capable of. I was hoping there would be a noticeable improvement, but I was listening to a different preamp after the mod than before the mod.
The stock pot was masking the soul of this preamp and consequently the soul of the music. I sat listening to music this morning that I had heard numerous times before and I simply couldn't believe how much more music was there. Okay, a few worn-out cliches. Much greater transparency, lower noise-floor, the music was much smoother and just seemed to flow. The soundstage was noticeably deeper and a haze seemed to be missing. Really wasn't aware a haze was there until it was gone. Wait to you hear cymbals with the DACT !
Also the tonality was improved with the notes being produced much more solidly. Everything simply seems richer, fuller, more 3D...okay enough already, you get the point.
If you can solder, you can do this mod, it's that easy. It will be the best 150 bucks you ever spent.
BTW, at each step there is a burn in period of the resistor, but things get really, really good within an hour of being on a step. And I assume the DACT may improve even more with time.
Thanks for the suggestion Bwhite !!!!