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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
amandarae
512 posts
 
Just finished an extended listening session with the Chenin, and I'm very impressed, although I've only listened to the linestage so far. Very tight bass, lush mids, and extended highs. I wasn't expecting better bass from a tube preamp, but I certainly did get it! I'm hearing things I haven't heard before in recordings, such as musicians breathing! All this using a computer power cord attached to a zip cord extension while I wait for the Belden cable and Wattgate ends to arrive from Parts Express. Should only get better!
I'm running modified Flying Mole class D monoblocks, a Sony CD player, and Zu Druid speakers.

Ait,

Yes, for some reason, the Supratek sounds good with a PWM amp! I have the ICE H2O before and my Chenin drives it pretty good.

Congratulations, but a warning. If you are planning to roll tubes, read the tubes tread very carefully. Better yet, contact owners Stiltskin, Slipknot1, and Fiddler. Ask them about their experiences with NOS 6SN7 tubes because that pair of tubes will break your bank before you can say WTF!
stevem1960
75 posts
 
Mahalo: The Supratek preamps sound beautiful with Classical music. Being a tube pre, the harmonic structure and emotion of soaring violins; the drama of orchestral crescendos and the sense of the Hall or venue is portrayed with real depth and dimension. IME, tubes do this much better than solid state, which sound flatter and less 3-dimensional.

Regards,

Steve.
bblilikoi's avatar
bblilikoi
99 posts
 
Stevem1960,

Can I ask you to apply your critical observations to the Suprateks compared to other tube preamps? Your comparison is of the Suprateks to SS pres, but how do the Supratek compare to other tube amps on classical music? Pres like the Herron, Joule, Thor, Modwright, etc? How are the Suprateks for transparency and handling complex layers and scale of orchestral music, massed trebles at dynamic peaks, powerful operatic tenors?

Mahalo/thank you.
colink04
14 posts
 
Hi gang,

I perused this lengthy thread for quite a while before deciding on the Supratek Chardonnay. It arrived yesterday, just one month after placing the order. I am quite pleased with not having to wait longer :-)

I got the black/Sheoak finish with gold knobs, home theatre bypass, remote and balanced output. It looks absolutely fantastic!

Unfortunately Mick forgot to include the user manual in the box. Can any Chardonnay owners please enlighten me on the inputs/outputs at the back? Is there a specific CD input, and which is the HT bypass input, for instance?

Thanks in advance for your help.
kgturner's avatar
kgturner
663 posts
 
colink04:

i just scanned my manual. my chardonnay is close to your configuration (minus the balanaced outputs). here are the links to the pages. enjoy your preamp. i'm sure you will.

http://kgturner.home.mchsi.com/supratek_page1.jpg
http://kgturner.home.mchsi.com/supratek_page2.jpg
http://kgturner.home.mchsi.com/supratek_page3.jpg
http://kgturner.home.mchsi.com/supratek_page4.jpg
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