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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
 
I am only reporting back what has worked for me, YMMV. Remember, my unit is not exactly stock anymore, as I stated above. The Mullard GZ33 is actually less expensive than the Mullard GZ34 - I bought two for the price of one GZ34. I am very aware of the larger voltage drop of the GZ33, and was not expecting better sound from it, yet that's exactly what I got.
Mick recommends the GZ37 as an alternate for the 5AR4 in the manual for the Chenin, and it also has 3 amp current draw, so that does not seem to be a problem...
amandarae
512 posts
 
Hello Ait,

Oh, do not get me wrong, I am just curious following your experiment. Yes, I am aware that your unit is not stock anymore. The same reason why I asked if you know the rating of the rectifier filament supply.

Yes, you are right, on the manual the GZ37 is listed as "ok" replacement of a 5AR4. He also listed a GZ32 but not a GZ33 or a 5U4. That is my point. I thought the GZ37 has a current draw of 2.8 amps max, 200 mA amps difference from a GZ33 (with 3 amps).

regards,

Abe
ait
480 posts
 
I have to say, I just went back and listened again to the difference between the 5AR4 and the GZ33 in my preamp. It's very clear to me that the Mullard GZ33 is superior to the GE 5AR4. The sound is clearer, cleaner, more focused, and overall just has more guts to it. Not what I expected from lowering the B+, but it's what I got.

Is the OP of the tubes changed? Most certainly! Is that a problem? No, isn't that the whole point of rolling rectifier tubes? It's not like the signal goes through them, you know...
amandarae
512 posts
 
No argument here as far as rolling the rectifier. Yes, no signal goes to it except the dc voltage it provides is the whole signal that is amplified. Besides, your unit is different now compared to stock. Let's say your preamp is a new design using the psu of a Supratek preamp and any experiment you have may or may not be applicable to stock Chenin's.

Oh well, as long as u have fun doing what you are doing.

Regards,
ait
480 posts
 
Agreed. My Chenin is not stock anymore. By the way, the Radio Museum site lists the current draw of the GZ33 as 2.8 amps, same as the GZ37, which is why I figured that there would not be a problem since the Chenin is approved by Mick to run GZ37s. They even have a picture of a Mullard GZ33 on the page (looks just like mine, except mine has yellow lettering - only done in 1964 from my understanding).

http://www.radiomuseum.org/tubes/tube_gz33.html
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