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
Has anyone ever hear a hum emanating from the power supply after extended play time. Sounds like a transformer hum. Not a ground fault problem...nothing from the speakers, just from power supply.

I recently started getting a hum from my Syrah power supply, it is loudest when I first turn it on, and it becomes a little quieter after warm-up, so it might not be the same problem you are having. I haven't had time to look into it yet, thought I might try changing tubes. The hum goes away if the umbilical is not connected.
Sorlowski-

I just placed and order with Brad at Revelation Audio for a 1 meter CryoSilver Reference umbilical for my Chenin. 1 meter for this is now 269.00.

As for power to the Chenin I have been using the Silent Source Signature Power Cable and been very happy. Up until a few weeks ago the Chenin was run via this directly into a dedicated 20A wall outlet. Now the Chenin's power is first passed through the Walker Audio Velocitor plugged into the wall with it's own Silent Source Sig. PC.

The improvements to the soundstage with the Walker have been impressive - much like finding just the right 6SN7 tube pair.

I am anxious to see what happens with the replaced umbilical. I would imagine if nothing else, the noise floor should drop a bit more. The twisted wires on the stock ubilical don't have much shielding.
Hi Slipknot, Just had a look at your incredible system. There are some changes from the last time I looked. By the sound of it, your Chenin has kepted pace with those changes... If there ever was a testimony for Micks phono stages,this is it...
Stilkskin-
Thank you for the kind words. The Chenin is in fine company. The phono stage in Mick's preamp brings out the best in the Magic Diamond cart for sure. I have finally begun to experiment with some different 6SN7 tubes and am really getting an education in the various attributes they offer.
I recently realized a significate leap forward in musical performace with my modest system.It really knocked me on my ass. Unknown to me all this time I was not hearing what my system was really capable of directly due to cables in my tone arm and the rest of my system. V.P.I.s new Signature tone arm wired with Nordost Valhalla was the first step to something I was not fully expecting.Not by a long shot. From there it was only logical to carry on with more Nordost wire from my turntable to my Chenin. I bought a used burnt in pair of Nordost Frey interconnects to check out....OH MY GOD....Over the past three years I have tried out many different brands of moderate to expensive interconnects and speaker wire. Looking back, compared to what I have experienced with Nordost, all the others had a out right dismal effect.This tiny fragile signal from my cartridge to the phono stage was distroyed by the other brands of wire. I understand Nordost makes direct replacement wire from their new line including Valhalla for other brands of tonearms other then V.P.I.. This mono filiment wire takes an extraordinary long time to burn in.For those who do not like what Nordost wire does,you have not heard it fully burnt in,thats for sure. Nordost manufatures a cable cooker available to distributors and dealers.It will do tonearm wire, interconnets and speaker wire. Its needed believe me. You really what to find out how good your system is? Look into this.....