Preamp Deal of the Century

My concern about Supratek...

After having red all this thread, I am convinced that the Supratek preamps (I'm interested in the Cabernet) 1) look great 2) sound great. My concern in the following : I have a $$$ directly coupled SS amp and $$$ speakers. I don't want to damage them in any way ! Usually, tube preamps are not good with amps without caps because they can have a continuous component that would destroy the speakers. As I understand, Supratek preamps have output transformers and, therefore, are 100% safe from the point of view of a DC component. But what about a tube failure or any other problem ? I like the tube sound but I'm a bit scared... Any input on this ? Do you think it is as safe and as reliable a good SS preamp ?

Thanks and best regards.

Thanks Joe and Wc65mustang,
Yeah it's probably time for me to start emailing Mick, but the constant glowing reports about the phono stage keep me wondering if I can still use my MMF 7 with it. The turntable comes mounted with a high-output MC Golding Eroica that is picked to match the Music Hall. My return to vinyl has been within the last year, and it's been wonderful. I can't upgrade my turntable/cartridge and get a Supratek. Does anybody have an idea if my turntable with be a decent match with the Chenin or Cortese?

On another note Joe, have you heard Zingali speakers? My local dealer is a major AN supporter. Peter has visited several times and usually stays at his house when he does. Nice guy Peter. My dealer has the Quest Silver Sigs and is currently getting upgrades from Peter at the CES. He's sold a lot of AN stuff, especially amps and DACs, but he carries the entire AN line. He has several pairs of AN speakers, and I've heard them. But I can't remember which models. The Zingali speakers, however, are the star attraction and hooked up to Quest Silvers. If you want to talk about beautiful, the Zingalis are absolutely gorgeous. And the AN-Zingali match is truly magical. The Zingali website is Zingali.it, I think. If not, I'll check and let you know. The importer is Fanfare.com.

Now about your Syrtese?

Thanks again, and let me know what you think about the Zingali's. Are you at all close to the Sacto area Joe?

Bill

Bill, Don't take this the wrong way and there is no malevolence intended here but the MMF-7 and Eroica are hardly worth all of the effort you are expending here vis a vis the preamp project. This is a very average tonearm with a very average cartridge. You will never realize the full sonic benefits of a good phonostage/linestage or a good preamplifer (with phonostage)with them. Now if you intend to upgrade to a better turntable/tonearm/cartridge in the near future, then I would say go ahead with your Supratek quest. Again, this is my take on the issue. I owned an MMF-7 a few years back and for the money it's tough to beat but in the context of the other equipment you're considering, it's out of place.
I hope there are no hard feelings.

Aurel: FWIW, the Cabernet that I have appears to be capacitor coupled on the output stage instead of transformer coupled like the cortese/chenin. There are at least 2 large capacitors in it. Have to be careful when turning it off because of the caps discharge. Turn off the power amp first, but this is recommended for all high-end gear anyway. No one that I am aware of has had their gear damaged by their supratek preamps. My Cabernet has been powered on continuosly (24/7)for 6 weeks with nothing more that an occaisonal (couple times a day) low-level tic or pop from a tube, which is normal in tube gear. I doubt a Supratek preamp would pose a threat to your existing equipment...but you do seem rather risk averse. Might want to email Mick about your concerns.

Jay461: swap signal tubes left-right to see of the crackle follows the tubes. Do the same with the regulator tubes, just to be sure. It really sounds like the signal tubes to me.