Preamp Deal of the Century

I did recieve my cable from Brad. I ordered it on January 30th, and recieved last week. Fit, finish, and build quality are very good. I cannot comment yet on whether or not it makes a difference as the pin configuration and size of the connectors on the RAL umbilical do not fit my Supratek.

I would advise that anyone who orders one be very specific as to how many pin sockets you have AND the barrel size on your stock umbilical. Brad told me that he has seen 6, 7, and 8 pin sockets. Mine only has 5 and a smaller barrel size than what ships with the RAL. I am currently waiting for Brad to try and source the one I need.

If someone wants one - and has an umbilical with 7 pins - email me off list and perhaps we can work something out.

Pablovila,

Looks like you have a very nice system there. I will be very interested in hearing your impressions of the Malbecs.

BE VERY CAREFUL WITH NON-STOCK umbilicals for Supratek preamps! One wrong connection by the cable maunfacturer and POOF!! its the end of your preamp. There are specific voltages being fed from each pin the power supply to the preamp section - get it wrong and you risk damage. At the very least you should send the stock umbilical to the cable guy so that he can circuit-test and make the cable exactly to the original.

Mick uses silver coated copper wire in the umbilicals, the same as found inside the preamps. I would have thought this would have been a good synergistic match, so why interfere? Just my 2 cents worth...

Regards,

Steve.

I agree Stevem1960,

I think messing with the umbilical cord is just asking for trouble. If these preamps are as good as we all think they are, why do we feel we have to find ways to improve them.

Actually - having gone down that road, only to have the RAL umbilical NOT work, I think you are both right. I don't roll the tubes in my Supratek - trusting Mick's choices as the right ones. I should have done the same with the umbilical.

That said - I have found improvement by removing the little hard rubber feet from both the PS and head unit, and replacing them with Walker Audio Valid Points and Discs...