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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
slowhand OP
610 posts
 
Hello Stevem1960,

Any idea how Mick is coming on the KT-88 amps? There have been no updates on his website. I was just wondering if they are close to production yet. Have you heard a pair of them?
ongkaku
31 posts
 
Steven1960, mine only accepts PX4/300B's tubes. Not 101D. I guess this does not make the Cabernet look sexy...

I still couldn't get rid of the microphonic issue, could it be my listening room is too small? The pre-amp actually picks up my voice when the disc is not spinning.

Kenji
kgturner's avatar
kgturner
663 posts
 
slowhand:

last email i sent an email to mick regarding the kt88. he said he was a couple of weeks out waiting on a transformer supplier. shoot him a line as this was about a month ago when i emailed him i believe.

kenji:

the cabernet is able to use px4, 300b, and another dht which i can't remember. i'm not even sure if mick is still using the 101d though i'm sure he would if asked to do so. he said he prefers the new dual 6SN7 design over the dht design and he encountered issues with owners frying their dht because they'd forget to switch to the proper voltage and complaints of microphonics.
stevem1960
75 posts
 
Slowhand: No, I have not heard the KT88 amps yet and I'm not sure of their release date, but it should be soon as KG says ??

Kenji: that sounds like unacceptably high levels of microphonics in your Cabernet. Its usually tube related. My Grange has a small amount of microphonics with EH-300B tubes and absolutely NONE with the TJ-300B or 45 tubes.

BTW, the meshplate TJ-300B is magnificent sounding! Its not even close, it makes the others sound crude in comparison.

Regards,

Steve.
ongkaku
31 posts
 
Steve, even with all stock tubes, the microphonic issue is still bothering me. May be is the casing or inadequate damping. I had tried all sorts all isolation methods but failed. I am going to move to a bigger listening room to try it out.

Kgturner, Mick switched to PX4 tubes when he was making mine in December 2004. PX4 tubes were superior to 101D according to him. I like the PX4 sound pretty much. Later I sent it back for "upgrading" to accept 300B tubes as well. So far I prefer the PX4.
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