Preamp Deal of the Century

Thanks Tvad, Kgturner and Powers for your kind replies. I just bought the Bendix from Kgturner on ebay. I would not have traded on ebay if I didn't know who the seller was.

My Chardonnay is two years old and it is completely broken in, obviously. I am perfectly happy with the stock tubes, but I want to have some tubes as spares. I am not into the expensive NOS stuff anyway, although it would be fun to try 350b as regulator. I have ordered two Sovtek KT66 and two Electro-Harmonix 6SN7EH. These are cheap and fun to try to see what this tube rolling is all about. I believe Mick is suppling these tubes with new Suprateks nowadays.

The stock tubes are Sovtek 5AR4, Electro-Harmonix 6L6EH and 6N8P of some unknown origin (probably Chinese).

I use a Mullard 5AR4. It is much better in my system then the Sovtek. They are not cheap - usually around $100 - $150 dollars, but well worth the upgrade IME. I found it too be smoother and cleaner sounding overall presentation. Other then that I too have found that Mick's choice for the other tubes is excellent and playing around with NOS and other funky tubes does not necessarily provide any better sound. Often just a bit different. Often for the worse.

cheers and good listening.

Hi everyone,
I just want to say thanks!!!
Since this thread is probably the reason behind my latest purchase - Chardonnay with a Bendix 6106 Rectifier tube and a matched pair of very rare Tung Sol Round Plate tubes.
All I can say is...........I AM SHOCKED & FLOORED in the same time. $1700 (used) for this preamp is one of my best buys so far. And I am not talking about money.

This thing is everything you guys said it is and more.

Cheers

welcome to the wonderful world of supratek, mrjstark!

Thank You for the kind words Kgturner.
The phenomena of the this tread as well as the number of
people participating and being part of "THE SUPRATEK CLUB"
can't be explain until one experience Michael's (Mick) products first hand.

On the matter of tube choices and its effect on the sound, I am also curies. As much as I would like to share my personal experience with the rest of "S" users - I can't because of my very limited time with the unit. As far as the tubes that came with my preamp, all I can say is that I can not find any shortcomings of that combo. Of course, it is too early for any meaningful evaluation or comparison. What I have noticed is that tubes chosen by a privies owner (NOS Tung Sol-round plate) are very sensitive/microphonic and a use of a tube rings is a must.
Other then that, they are wonderful.

I would also like to ask:
about the preferred way to address vibration control, unit placement (and power supply). I know I am going nuts with all this questions.......one more, power cables/ interconnects - make difference with Supratek or no.