Preamp Deal of the Century

Help! No sound is coming out from my new Cabernet. I called Mick and followed his instruction, all toggle switches (HT & Mute switches) were switched towards front, RCA/XLR output toggle switch to RCA (since I'm using only RCA ICs), input position to #2 (#1 is XLR input, in fact I had tried all positions), but still no sound coming out! Mick is still on holiday and it's difficult to get hold of him. Interconnects were checked thoroughly and all tubes were lit up but the Cab did want to sing. I would send the unit back to Mick if it sill doesn't work.

Kenji

Problem solved! Checked all the tubes again and found the 6SN7's were dead cold - unplugged umblical cord and reconnected it, still dead cold but the rest of the tubes were okay. Unplugged umblical cord and reverse it, the side connected to preamp initially now connected to the power supply unit and vice versa. Bingo! Everything lights up and the Cab started to sing (including myself ^_^). Anyway, still have two minor issues that I need to solve them with Mick when he is back to work.

Cheers,
Kenji

Hi Kenji

When I first received my preamp, the same problem happened with me... I systematically tried all combination (almost I think). Finally, I turned off the power and took out all the tubes, reinserted them and turned on the power. After a few moves and when I toggled a top gain switch to High, there was a loud POP and faint sound was heard. Next I toggled the other top gain switch to High. Luckily, my speakers were not damaged (I think). For my setup, I had to switch off the power amp everytime the top gain switch is toggered, either way. Both gain TOP switches had to be set to High and back gain switch set to middle before I hear anything decent. You may try that.

Good luck, Edmund

Hi all,I posted this question separately on this forum but was advised to post it on this thread.I am looking to upgrade my ARC LS 15 preamp and have narrowed the field to either an ARC ref2 ( I know there is a ref 3 on the way) or a Supratek Cabernet ( I stated Chardonnay on the separate posting).Did anyone compare the two? ( I realise that any replies will probably be from very happy Supratek owners). Partnering gear-ARC CD3 CDP ,Plinius SA 100 ( soon to be SA Ref) , Shahinians ,Wireworld gold eclipse balanced interconnect , Kimber speaker cable; music taste classical and jazz .
From every thing I've read on this thread the Supratek is something special but any thoughts on the comparison would be gratefully received.Thanks in advance.
Kevin

It took me only five minutes to follow the advice of TWL on buying a Chenin, but more than a month to read this wonderful thread! Thank you very much Slowhand, Ecclectique, Amandarae, Bwhite, Jpms, Cello, Streven1960, Jazzdude, Tubegroover, Asa, Fiddler, and the rest of the Supratek gang for all the information about this wonderful preamplifier. After a month in my system, I concur that this is a very special piece of equipment. Following TWL’s advice I’ve assembled in the last couple of years a SET/Lowther based rig and I listen mostly to jazz music. I am using right now a Linn Sondek/Ekos/Goldring Elite and Electrocompaniet EMC 1 UP front end, a Supratek Chenin pre, Wright Sound 3.5, Bottlehead Parabee 300b and Electrocompaniet AW 220 amplifiers (a long story behind this combination ), and Lowther EX 4 in a Voigt Pipe enclosure and Silverline Sonatas as speakers (the second installment of the previous long story ). A REL Stadium II is the subwoofer. Cables are all Electraglides (Silver Reference and Speakerglides). The best sound I’ve ever had in my life! The Chenin replaced an aging Audible Illusions 3A and the difference is notorius. I’ve already replaced the stock 6SN7 with a pair of Ken Rad Black Glass 6SN7, the rectifier with an RCA 5V4, the stock 5881 with a pair of Tung Sol 5881 and the 6922 with a pair of Amperex 6922 White label. After finishing reading the entire thread last night, I will buy the already famous Sylvanias 6F6G and either the Mullard GZ34 or the Philips Miniwatts. Any idea where to look at for those two tubes? Thank you very much one more time, and happy new year. Pablo.