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Preamp Deal of the Century

If anyone is looking for a true "World Class" preamp at a very fair price..heed my advice. I just recieved a Supratek Syrah preamp that was hand built by Mick Maloney in Western Australia, and it is absolutely beautiful! This preamp is the best deal you will ever find. I would put it up against any preamp out there for both looks and sound. Price? $2500 for the Syrah (includes Killer Phono stage). Not into phono? Try the Chardonney line stage for $2100. Don't get me wrong, I am not associated with this company. I am just a very happy owner! This preamp is VERY dynamic, yet liquid. It conveys the sound of music better than any other preamp that I have ever heard! You can check out the Supratek website at www. cantech.net.au
slowhand
curriemt11
220 posts
 
Bwhite, I have to disagree. I owned the Cortese for a year and half, went though inumerable 6SN7s and 6922s, including some selected tubes purchased from Kevin Deal, and still the problem was there. By the way, three different types of tube dampers made their way into the system as well. Even in the best case, it was still an exceedingly microphonic preamp.

The Saturn series from Aesthetix had some early teething problems, no doubt about it. These appear to have been solved. In my opinion, the Janus is a superior preamp to the Cortese in almost every regard.
stevem1960
75 posts
 
BWhite, points taken...I'm just making a generalised statement that speakers have probably the greatest effect on the way sound is reproduced (way above any tube rolling in a preamp). Normal cones-n-domes just don't cut the mustard with the fine detail on offer from Supratek preamps. It's not until you start getting involved with electrostats; Raven ribbons; Beryllium drivers; Accuton ceramics; Fostexes or well sorted horns that you truly start to appreciate the nuances of Mick Maloney's artistry.

I'm still curious to know what speakers you guys are using with your Suprateks ?

Regards,

Steve.
raytheprinter's avatar
raytheprinter
1,234 posts
 
Hello Steve,I have Paradigm Studio 100s,they do sound good ,and are fun to listen to,but i know they are not the most resolving speakers ,just have not heard anything thats made me want to commit yet,ive been searching for over a year now,cant wait till i find them!But for now they sound very good with a good recording!I think the rest of my system is to the point that the right speakers will bring out what my Chardonnay is capable of.I did like a pair of Nola vipers that i heard at a local dealer,and would love to drag my amp and preamp over to hear how they would sound together,the most i could spend would be 3,000 and will be buying used.
bwhite
807 posts
 
Curriemt11 - what were the problems you experienced that lead you to believe the Cortese was microphonic? Can you describe them, when they occurred, what they sounded like, etc?
bwhite
807 posts
 
Steve - I agree, good speaker are very important... Unfortunately they but are a real pain in the rear to buy & sell - so auditioning esoteric speakers in our homes, with our systems is very difficult compared to auditioning other components.

I've used Wilson Benesch speakers for a number of years and I've been quite happy with them. But! I am on my way to becoming a first time father so....I sold them and will be trying to build a system which is very low power with high efficiency single point speakers - in an effort to get great sound at lower volumes. The Single Ended / Single Point world is new to me and I'm still trying to determine what speakers to buy.. but they must work well with a 45 SET amp.
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