2. amps-preamps
  3. 1016931418

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
slowhand OP
610 posts
 
Tried a little tube rolling in my Cortese today. I have had the pre since November and have only used the stock tubes up to now. I took out the stock rectifier and put in a Phillips Miniwatt metal base GZ34. To my surprise, I saw no improvement in sound over the stock tube. I then tried a Bendix 6106. after a few minutes of letting the tube warm up, the pre started making noises I did not like (this was with the sound muted). I took the Bendix out and reinstalled the stock rectifier. The pre plays fine. I have not tried tube rolling any other tubes, but it may be that Mick has voiced the pre so well to the stock tubes that NOS is a waste.
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
With my Chenin, the tube rolling has been pretty limited. I tried swapping out the stock 6922's with Amperex NOS only to be disappointed with the results. I was very pleased however, with replacing the stock 6SN7's with NOS RCA Grey Glass 6SN7. Overall, I have to agree with Slowhand. I think Mick knows what he is doing in his choice of tubes when he ships a preamp. Who am I to argue?
lisbon
41 posts
 
Hi to all

Long time has passed since ny last post. Why? Beacuse, ever since I got my Supratek (Chardonnay), I stopped worrying with audio improvement. Yes, it is that good!

The problem now is that every time I switch on the preamp extremely loud noises come form my speakers. You can actually see the woofers banging. Anyone experienced this? Any solution?

I am trying to solve this problem along with Mick (by e-mail). But I'm afraid I'll have to sent the preamp back to get it fixed. Otherwise my speakers can get damaged for life in no time.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Best regards,
Lisbon
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
Lisbon,
Does this problem occur when "unmuting" the preamp, or does it occur when powering it up?
Remember, when turning on your system: Preamp on first - amps on second. When shutting down: Amps off first - preamp off second.
If it occurs when "unmuting", try it with the volume turned down.
lisbon
41 posts
 
Thanks for answering.

I am turning on the system exactly as I always did. CD on. Preamp on. Power amp on. The power amp takes about ten seconds to go AND after that it stays automatically muted for security reasons. Nice. Then I unmute the power amp and everything goes well. But not now. So let me try to explain... (you know, English is not my mother tongue - sorry if my explanation is not clear)

When I unmute the power amp (after doing all I refered to above) these EXTREMELY loud noises come into scene (with the volume turned down). I imediatly mute it again. Switch off the preamp. Switch back on. Unmute the power amp again and everything goes well (actually, yesterday it was not that easy - needed to turn the preamp off and on almost for 10 times...).

So something is really wrong and I am naturally concerned. For the preamp and above all for my speakers.

If you or anyone have had the same experience (or simple suggestions) please do not hesitate to drop a line here. Thank you in advance.

* other than that, the preamp sounds wonderful.
More to discover