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
Thanks for the welcome Stiltskin and Slowhand.
The first time I heard a Supratek preamp was a revelation.Most audiophiles seem to spend a lot of time effort and money "upgrading" without ever really improving the long term satisfaction that they get from their system.This especially applies to those pursueing perfect neutrality, which is a fiction.These are the same types who go to see a live performance and concentrate more on the venue acoustics than on the performance itself.
The word transcend is especially appropriate to Micks products because they can help audiophiles to forget about the componentry and just enjoy the music.The preamps are especially important in this role.The only other products I know with similar transcendence values are very good electrostatic speakers.

It sounds like a lot of people are anxious to hear about the new KT88 amps.I have only heard these briefly but was very impressed.I use push-pull amps myself and see no reason why they shouldn't sound just as good as SE if the design is right.I know that Mick is really pleased with these.Sometimes less is more.

JT
Hi Jt, Yes I am particularly interested in Micks KT-88 monos .Mick did such GREAT job on the Chenin I bought from him,these new monos should be a crazy good mate for my preamp. Having just bought a new system last year including a pair of used O.T.L. monos,there is room for improvment and better matching with my pre. This is the second system I have bought since the early 1980s.The only thing left from my first decent stereo is my Quad 63s,some Mod Squad tip toes and some Monster wires. My Wife and I had a great time putting our new system together.We have never heard our favorite music like this in our home.I think Micks new amps will be icing on the cake for us...
Hello JT, congratulations on your new Cabernet. I just got my Cab this past December. Trust me, as happy as you are now with the fabulous fit, finish and sound, you won't believe what will happen in a couple or weeks or so. You will be enjoying your music and then the unit warms up and breaks in and you will be taken to audio heaven. It is that dramatic! I have been through a wonderful evolution of great gear, old Mcintosh, new Mcintosh, Conrad Johnson, Lamm and others, but this is the best "ride" I have ever owned! I was a "newbie" at tube rolling, a little intimidated but I am now getting into that and the doors keep opening up. So enjoy and keep this thread going. It is the grand thread on the site. If you like, I will share my novice experience at the tubes I am slowly, and this I recommend, getting into, and I am sure this will inspire more thoughts and opinions.
Hi Gang,

I have been away for a while but come back to read the threads every now and then. Congratulations to Jtgosifh for your new toy! Does your Cabernet has any microphonic issue? I am asking this as mine is too sensitive - it picks up my voice if I speak a little bit louder in my listening room if there is no disc is spinning. During loud passage that ended abrutly, I still could hear the the sound being "sustained" through microphonic effect. I have tried tube rings, isolation pad, and everything that you can imagine but in vain. Not that I do not enjoy the music coming out from this pre-amp but the microphonic issue keeps bothering me. Other than that this is a fabulous pre-amp.

Kenji
Hello all , I have a Cortese 3-4 years old and need a pair of tungsol pearl 12B4A cryo-vac tubes. Anyone know where I can get a pair ?
Does this tube have a large impact on the sound ?
Is there a better or more common tube to get ?

Thank you for the help

Abill