2. amps-preamps
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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
jeffga
89 posts
 
BEWARE OF QUALITY CONTROL PROBLEMS. DO SOME RESEARCH ON THIS!!
bwhite
807 posts
 
Jeff is absolutely right! The Supratek (if too many options are added) can be a dog. While the circuit Mick designed is relatively simple, additions like "theater throughput", single box chassis, XLR outputs, remote control, etc. In the early XLR equipped units, Mick used the wrong connectors - and added some kind of transformer which was supposed to boost the XLR output and at the same time lowering gain to accomodate what he thought was the "right" way to do theater throughput. The results were not exactly great. I think Mick has resolved some of the issues but I expect that the more you add to the original specification the more potential you have for problems.

Also, Mick builds all the preamps by hand and as fast as possible which has at times resulted in paint drips, loose/cold solder joints, etc. Much of this trouble happened in a time when Mick was turning orders around in 2 weeks - today Mick has upped the turn around time and I think it's now 3 months.

He has a great product and I hope his current business plan includes much better quality control. Again, I want to reinforce Jeff's comments above. Do some research and talk to Mick about it before you order - or while waiting... :)
arooj
12 posts
 
Well, hats off to all the contributors and especially Bwhite (again), for a fantastic and well-balanced discussion. I reviewed the website a while ago, but thought the goods were too good to be true - looks like we might have a winner here. To make things a little bit more complicated, I see that the designer is coming out with new preamp (the "Grange") and high-power amp (the "Burgandy") designs. Just when I thought the choices would be easy, we get more :) .

Hey, what a great excuse to visit the land down under; the wife gets the beach, the kids see kangaroos, and the old man gets to bring home some nice (heavy) souvenirs.

arooj
NYC
bwhite
807 posts
 
Arooj, You weren't kidding!!! Mick has a few surprises for later this year!!
http://www.cantech.net.au/~supra/highpower.html

I wonder what the ticket price will be?
tubegroover
2,279 posts
 
Well let's just hope that Mick can keep up with it all. Very ambitious for a one man shop. I am also very intrigued by what I have read here and elsewhere. I am damn near ready to order the Syrah and I don't mind waiting 3 months but...what is this business about quality control problems, is it prevelant or just isolated? Bwhite, you have been the eloquent spokesman on this thread, could you fill us in on the details?
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