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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
ait
480 posts
 
Experiences with GZ33 vs GZ34? I'm looking for anyone who has compared and contrasted these two rectifier tubes in a Supratek preamp. The GZ33 is very cool looking, but how does it sound versus the GZ34/5AR4?
jazzdude
332 posts
 
I've had numerous rectifiers in my sauvignon and cabernet. They include the 6106, Sylvannia 5a45, Mullard GZ33, Mullard GZ37, and the Mullard/Amperex metal-base GZ34. The Mullard/Amperex metal-base GZ34 is by far the best in my preamp. The improvements have been in the areas of reduced noise, longer note sustain/decay and to a lesser degree better harmonics which has increased the timbre. I've had my GZ34 in the system for about 5 years and my system is always powered on and playing.

From what I recall about the GZ33 and GZ37 specs the heater current is a good deal more than the GZ34. I think that anyone rolling regulators or rectifiers in the suprateks should consider the impact of one upon the other. Some of the larger regulator tubes place their own demand upon the power supply.
ait
480 posts
 
Well, I think my GE 5AR4 with the copper sides on the plates sounds great, but I just bought a Mullard GZ33 on e-pay, and I'll try it out when it arrives. If it doesn't sound as good as the GE, I'll take it out. I'm not running 6SN7s anymore, I'm using the 2C22 single triode, so I've reduced the demand on the power supply already - I guess I'll find out what the GZ33 sounds like soon enough...
ait
480 posts
 
So, I tried the Mullard GZ33 tonight, and I like it a lot! I bought a pair, and both had good getter flashing, full lettering, and tested 100%+ on my tube tester (set to 5V4, 5U4 and 5AR4 settings). Compared to the GE 5AR4, the background is cleaner, the soundstage is more focused (I can tell more easily where the instruments are) and the bass is a bit tighter and deeper. Cymbals are cleaner and have more focus. I swapped the two tubes back and forth twice each (I didn't want to stress the preamp with too many rapid on/off cycles). It just sounded more powerful and focused with the GZ33 than the GE 5AR4 - I'm keeping it in.

So my current optimum combo is:

Mullard GZ33 rectifier
Sovtek KT-66 regulator
Ken-Rad 2C22/7193 output tube (sub for 6SN7)
Solen PP Caps (33uF and 100uF, 630V) for power supply

It sounds incredible, IMHO.
sherod
1,690 posts
 
Those older late 50's,early 60's Mullard rectifier tubes have a certain magic to them that is truly musical. Legend has it that they were made by Elves in the Black Forest. Those same Elves today are making Keebler cookies. (O:
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