2. amps-preamps
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Options to replace Supratek Chennin Pre

Looking for suggestions for a replacement pre for my Supratek Chennin Preamp. I absolutely love most everything about this pre except in my system it is slightly lean. I would like to stay with tubes unless the nature of tube pres is to be a little lean. HT pass thru is a requirement. The Supratek has a HT pass thru and I love how simple it is to backdoor HT through the hi fi. Price range will be about $3,500.00 new or used. I want something that will retain or exceed the holographic, open, precise sound stage that the Supra offers but with more slam and extension in the bass. I recently pulled the pre out of the system and ran direct from the wadia 861 and bass slam was improved to an exceptable degree but obviously lost all benefits of tubes.
System:
Wadia 861
Supratek
Parasound JC 1s
Vandy 3A sig
2WQ subs
Audioquest Cheetah, Cardas Golden Cross intercon
Alphacore MI2 spk cable bi wired
braro
braro OP
87 posts
 
I got the RCA 6SN7GT VT-231s. Ahhh much better. These tubes have transformed my system. Ecclectique the RCAs did exactly what you said they would. After a few hrs I do not hear any negative attributes. Only improvements pretty much across the board. The biggest improvement I hear so far is in the upper bass/lower mids but to my delight the bottom octave is being rendered with more weight also. The presentation is overall lush and sweet but at the same time detailed and powerful. This is probably the best change I have made to my system with room treatment as a possible tie. I am going to pick up the Ken Rads and give them a whirl also but Im quite happy with the RCAs. Thanks again everyone.
pjo
12 posts
 
You can always replace with SS Pre new P9 from Nuforce
should be considard as it could represent Great Sound and Value design by Damien Martin ex Spectral Fame.
braro OP
87 posts
 
Well after some more hrs and different music with the RCAs I have come to the conclusion that they are superior to the EH in all areas except 1. Acoustic bass lacks focus at the bottom of the register with the RCAs. The bass does have more weight but unfortunately its not controlled. So what to do? I suppose the Ken-Rads may be the panacea but the longer Im in this hobby the more I realize I may never get the "right" sound and that everything is a compromise. I really don’t want to just keep spending money and hope I find the right combination. BUMMER. I suppose I could just listen to music that doesn’t have acoustic bass :) HA.
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ikkyu2
35 posts
 
Braro, you haven't mentioned what rectifier tube you are using. They make a huge difference in extracting the best from all of the other tubes in the Supratek.

The Sovtek 5AR4 is junk. For $40 you can step up to the Bendix 6106. You'll find better tone top to bottom, and better bass as well. For real bass punch, a Philips Miniwatt GZ34 will shock you.

Also, if you're running the stock Sovtek 5881, replace with the Sovtek KT-66. Again another $40. Big pay off.

Those two additions will help your RCAs show their stuff.

Best wishes,
ckorody
640 posts
 
amen - the right rectifier tube changes everything on every pre and amp I've owned - not all that many but I am starting to develop an opinion!!!
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