Preamp Deal of the Century

Zachzdb, I wrote to Mick last week to ask about his DAC. He said this baby would be ready for shipping later this year. I did not ask how much but someone in this thread mentioned ~USD500. Anyway, below is the extracted from Mick's email:

"We've got a good DAC, but it doesn't sound like SACD- it sounds like vinyl!"

kenji

Is it safe to assume that it (DAC) will have a tube output stage? I wonder if the powersupply will be tubed also. I would like a SS DAC, maybe with no opamps on the output stage.

Mick indicated to me that it wil NOT be tubed, it will be SS.

Thanks all,sounds like it should be very interesting to see and hear when it's ready.
Kirby

I have scanned with interest this thread, seeking info about perceived differences between the First Sound family of linestages and the Supratek family.
It seems that a probable majority of posters prefers Supratek devices over the First Sound Presence II. On the other hand, First Sound has a wide range of devices, very much like Supratek, with approx 15 different models. A number of chassis ranging from 2 to 6 per unit. Power supplies ranging from approx 200K MF to over 500K MF. Choice of series step attenuators or ladder step attenuators in the volume controls. Choice of Holco or Vishay resistors in the volume controls. MIT, Cardas or custom copper capacitors. A variety of wiring and grounding designs.
I have not had the fortune yet of listening to either the First Sound directly, or the Supratek family as such I cannot comment on audible differences. yet I seem to have observed that the comparisons this far may have been mostly between various models of Supratek against the lower models of the First Sound lineup only. Has anyone performed some matrix comparisons? Or at least compared the higher end Supratek against the higher end First Sound models in the Paramount, Special Edition and Statement series?