Preamp Deal of the Century

Just replaced my Adcom GFP-750 with a used Supratek Chenin, going from a ‘giant killer’ to the ‘preamp of the century’, which is how these two units are written about. The rest of the system is a Musical Fidelity A5 player, Conrad Johnson MF2250 amp, Von Schweikert VR4-JR speakers, Acoustic Zen Satori Shotgun speaker wires, VH audio interconnects and a JPS labs digital power cord, VH Audio Flavor ? on preamp and CJ. Gadzooks what a difference in the bass, much tighter, more prominent. The soundstage opened up considerably, deeper and wider the digital glare is much reduced and I’m hearing lots of new things on familiar recordings.
My only disappointment is the amount of ‘sweetness’ in the midrange, would like some more of that. Three questions for my Supratek bretheren;
1) Any NOS tubes that’d exchange some bass response for more midrange sweetness?
2) what would be an appropriate level of turntable for this phonostage, I was thinking MMF7 or something in that strata – can I go for a less table like the MMF5 or would going up the food chain be the hot ticket?
3) the power supply tube is only an inch from the next shelf and the bottome of the shelf feels very warm to the touch. The rack is open on all sides. Cause for concern ?
Thanx much.

Hello Richmon,

I am not much into tube rolling anymore, but I seem to remember owners saying the RCA gray glass 6sn7 had a sweet midrange. As for the phono stage, IT IS WORLD CLASS! This is what Mick's preamps are known for. Get the best analog setup you can and you will be rewarded in the sound. I am using a VPI Aries 2 EXTended with the VPI JMW 12.5 arm and a ZYX Yatra cartridge. KILLER SOUND! I also have a Modded Sony SCD-1 SACD player. It can't hold a candle to my analog setup. Mick's phono stage will also handle the lowest moving coil cartridge you can find with no trouble. Mine is .24mv and I have tons of gain. You have a preamp that is worthy of the best associated equipment.

Have Fun!

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Sorlowski,
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I have the Rollerblocks placed under both the Pre-Amp and the Power Supply.
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The Rollerblocks are placed in direct contact with the bottom plate of the boxes (not in contact with the rubber feet).
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Rgds,
Larry
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My only disappointment is the amount of ‘sweetness’ in the midrange, would like some more of that. Three questions for my Supratek bretheren;
1) Any NOS tubes that’d exchange some bass response for more midrange sweetness?
2) what would be an appropriate level of turntable for this phonostage, I was thinking MMF7 or something in that strata – can I go for a less table like the MMF5 or would going up the food chain be the hot ticket?
3) the power supply tube is only an inch from the next shelf and the bottome of the shelf feels very warm to the touch. The rack is open on all sides. Cause for concern ?

1.) Sylvania VT231 have a sweet midrange and less bass punch as well as RCA VT231 in my system. The EH 6SN7 though sounds wonderful as well and does not command the outrageous NOS tube prices.

2.) I would recommend a Teres table. Also, a Denon 103R while you are at it with a high mass arm.

3.) Although it will take an enormous amount of heat from the tubes to burn your shelf even at an inch away which is impossible to achieve with the 5AR4/5Y3 type tube, peace of mind is the thing that really matters here in the long run.

cheers

Richmon: With your concerns about heat, just stick a 4"x4" square double layer of aluminium tinfoil (shiney side out) under the shelf above your power supply tube, it should act as a heatshield. Since you have an open sided shelf, heat build up shouldn't be a problem.

Slowhand: I agree, the Supratek phono sections are a real gem! My turntable with Koetsu Rosewood cartridge murders my digital front-end consisting of Sony XA-7ES + Bel Canto DAC-2. Digital sound is nice when listened to in isolation, but just doesn't stand up to an A-B comparison against analogue...

Regards,

Steve M.