Preamp Deal of the Century

Cabernet users, I am expecting my pre-amp anywhere from now until the summer!, but I'd love to hear some feedback. Stock tubes, rolled tubes, how long a break in period. I am matching with a solid state mac 352 and driving B&W 802's. Balanced output? Mick seems to lean towards unbalanced. My speaker cables are 2 meter Granite audio 10awg copper, while my interconnects are the 577 silver. Playback is a Sony sa-xxxes sacd player. I'm dying for info as I wait. Thanks supratek users.

I was able for the first time to listen to my new Chenin that I bought from Audiogon last night. I feel that pictures really do not do this preamp justice because in person it is a visual knockout. It also sounds great and I only was able to listen to CD's last night. I can't wait to start spinning some vinyl again! I have a couple of questions that have come up since last night. I think there are about 8 inputs in the rear of the unit and only 4 settings for inputs on the front selector. Can someone inform me how this works? Secondly, what makes a greater difference tube rolling or a new power cable? I have seen many postings dealing with NOS tubes, Is there any consensus about which tubes are the best for these preamps? Which tubes make the greatest difference? Lastly, do most people use the high or low gain setting? Thanks in advance. Bob

Larryrosen,

Congratulations on your choice. I think you can look forward to a VERY pleasant experience. I say this confidently as my sys. is quite similar to yours in many ways & the Supratek was a perfect match in mine. I too use a MC352 paired to a Chardonnay driving TDL Reference Studio Monitor 'M' . Are your B&W the Nautiluses ? I have heard the N802 & in many ways they sound similar to the TDL's. I too run everything in un-balanced mode. Have been leaning towards sigledriver / horn / 300B sys since of late. The Chardoanny performed admirably in this combination as well. So hang in there & keep counting the days.

Now if only Mick puts his mind to a 300B SET .....................

Baranyi,

I assume you do not have the manual.

Looking at the back of the preamp,

Phono Loading Slider Switch: Top to Bottom = 47k,1K, 100, and 10 Ohms respectively if your preamp is standard. Otherwise, you have to ask the original owner on what config he requested (values).

RCA's from left to right: Phono input (considered as input 1), then input 2, input 3, and input 4.
Next is Tape REC and then Tape Play. Then it's output 1 and output 2. Gain, then power.

For the front knobs, Left is Volume control, and Right is the selector switch with the ff setting as you move CW: phono, input 2, input3, input 4.

As for the power cord, I find it better to get a good regulator tube than a power cord. The regulator tube's impact to the preamp performance is instantaneous.

As far as I know, many owners use different tubes. It is difficult to pinpoint what the best tubes are for each position from previous posters/text but it is a little easier to determine which does not sound good as you read the thread. For example, RCA 5692's does not bring its magic on this preamp. So as the Tungsol 5881, etc. etc.

I use the "low" gain setting on mine.

congratulations!

Amandarae,
Thanks for the assistance. I did get an emailed version of the manual but it didn't specify what the inputs are. Thanks for clarifying it for me. I have been playing around with the gains settings and the best for me so far is high gain with some of the gain cut back on the 6 way switch on the back of the unit. I have only played the Chenin one evening though and that could change. I look forward to comparing notes with you since we have the same amp (H2O) and preamp. They were a magical pair on my first evening using them. Bob