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
One of my Syrah's phono battery holders was glued, and had come loose. Thankfully it was just the battery case and not a power supply cap...
It sounds like the original glue used is pretty strong. The concern I would have as a manufacturer would be what happens a few years down the road? The glue is aging, and also subjected to heating cycles. You know that it will degrade in due time. It is guaranteed that no matter how good the preamp sounds, if it is found responsible for a heart attack due to shock or burning someone's house down, the brand loyalty will mean nothing during the lawsuit.
It always amazes me, when somebody like Ralph (Atmasphere), who makes amplifiers for a living, makes a statement regard. proper building technics, in this particular case about why one should NOT use glue to secure parts to the chassis, there always be the other guy, with no professional experience of building anything, who would argue the opposite point, and will support his argument with a ridiculous and irrelevant statement, like " I do it all the time (use glue), and haven't had problems yet".
Puts other opinions of that same guy into a certain perspective, doesn't it?
I got a used Cortese in May. The original owner had excellent care to it - no scratch or dings. Yet on opening the package I sensed something came loose inside the power supply.
Removal of the bottom lid revealed one of the big capacitor did come loose, plus a slight free play on the toroidal transformer. There is a black foil on the bottom side of the top plate, and all the components rest on this foil. Part of the black foil holding this capacitor tore/peeled off. I figure that this must be the result of rough handling on shipment (from Southern California to Canada) and the black foil/glue holding the capacitor had become aged due to immense heat cycles on daily uses (Cortese users know the top plate of the power supply runs very hot).
With the guideline from Micy & Kevin (Thanks Micky & Kevin for your advice), the transformer was tightened back in place, and GE Sealant was applied to put the cap back in position. Kevin also warned me not to remove the phono tubes (as this time I don't have a T/T) as this will affect the bias.
I did not open the pre-amp unit as there is nothing came loose. This makes sense as it runs much cooler than the power supply.
Hey Chelvam,
Congrats, you will love the Chardonnay. I recall Mick saying he would build some units here and there after he said his shop was closing up. I actually got a refund some time ago from him for a Sauv I had on order for over a year. He just could not oblige building it, so I got my deposit back. No worries. Sounds like he or his assistance(s) have some time now. I hope you don't end up waiting too long for your unit. I hope Mick opens up his shop again on a full time basis. I sure would like to get a Sauv or Cabernet for a second system I am putting together.

cheers and good luck.