Preamp Deal of the Century

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.

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.

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

Thanks for taking the time to scan the manual, Kgturner.
I sure needed the manual in getting it set up - this is my first tube preamp. This is one major reason why I opted for the Chardonnay - a great user community. I knew I could count on the experts on this thread to help out a tube newbie like me.

Right out of the box, the soundstage is impressively wide, with the highs precisely detailed and lush but clear mids. I am using it with my 200W Krell power amp and the bass is just as solid as my Krell preamp in terms of slam and volume, but better controlled and a lot tighter. I am impressed! I gather from reading the thread that things can only get better with burn in, so I am very pleased to have joined the club.

Thanks again for your help!

Just to add a brief note regarding the gain switches behind the 6SN7 tubes.

According to Mick, in the later models gain switch is High, Low, Medium from the front, and not vice versa as found in Kgturner's user manual (graphic on page 4).

Hope this is useful info.