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
Hello, I´m new in this forum. I´m from Madrid (Spain).

I´ve just ordered a Cortese, line stage version, with several modifications and I´d like to know what you think about it.

- Balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs, with provision for biamping with both, the balanced and unbalanced output.
- Power supply connector on power supply (to add later a phono stage.
- A headphone socket.

Mick was agree wiht all of it, I´m sure he can do it without compromise the Cortese´s sound.
I don´t know many things about valves and I´m not sure if I´m asking too much.
What about the cables he recommends, the TMC?

Thanks, guys.
Jpms, While I am sure that Mick can complete the modifications you've requested, I think you'll have better results with a stock unit. While many of the mods seem minor, they can impact the original design and impart negative side effects.

In all honesty, I would especially stay away from having Mick do XLR connectors on your preamp. The circuit was designed specifically for single ended operation not a balanced signal. Mick tried this on two of my preamps and the results were not good - at all. A local technician told me it would likely cost $500 to trace the problems and fix. Mick charged me $50 for the option, so.. I didn't feel it was fair to have the problem fixed at Micks expense. On my preamp, I have the wrong end (Mick used the Input connectors as the output) and connected some extra transformers for the balancing of the signal. This is the second preamp that *I* have had that he did this on. On the second one, he wanted to fix the problem but then made the same mistake. Oops. Using the XLR's causes my preamp to make huge loud noises when switched to XLR.

While I am rather pissed off about the XLR "issues" I have had, I think that Mick's design is one of the best in the world. The sound is spectacular from a well built unit and quite frankly will by itself transform a system.

Just settle for RCA. Its very good. While very snug and nice to use, balanced connectors are over-rated unless you're running VERY long lengths of cable. If your amplifier only has balanced inputs and is a "fully balanced" design you might want to think twice about attempting to use the Supratek SINGLE ENDED DESIGN with that amp. Even if the Supratek has XLR connections - that does not mean its a balanced signal. In this case, I think you would lose performance with a single ended preamp.

Biamping is possible with a stock Cortese or Syrah because they have two sets of outputs. I am sure Mick could put three without a glitch though.

The extra power supply connection on the preamp shouldn't be a problem but you might want to seriously re-think buying a Cortese line stage only. His phono is even better than the line stage and its a pain in the butt to have him upgrade. I'm going through this now myself.

When I originally purchased my preamp, I didn't think I'd get into vinyl. Now... I've tasted what it sounds like in a high end system and its so good that IMHO, you would be better off asking Mick to remove the line stage and just give you the PHONO - get rid of digital all together!! I am kidding of course but the extra 1,500 for the phono at time of purchase will save you $$$$ in the long run for shipping / duty fees, time, etc. Something to think about.

The TMC cables are a pain to deal with. They sound "okay" but not fantastic. They will save you a lot of money but are so stiff that it makes them difficult to work with. When you read about them being stiff and imagine something in your head based on your past experience with what you think to be stiff cables... take that thought, and then multiply that by two. They are that stiff... In fact, if I move them, they will push my Supratek right out of the rack and onto the floor.
Thanks, Bwhite.
I agree with you. I was so fascinated about the Supratek comments and look, that I ordered it too fast. Of course I don´t regret, but I should consider the modifications I asked for.
About XLR connections I asked for it because my CD player and amplifier (Wadia and Jeff Rowland)are truly balanced, but both of them could be used in single ended design.
I can live without XLR.
I´m going to ask for the phono also at the same time. It looks hard to get a Supratek and I never rejected the possibility to have a TT.
I´ve sended a message to the Yahoo Supratek forum (twice, sorry) explaining a little more about my system and some other questions.
- What about power cords?. Don´t you think that a good pc could help to restore the unpolluted sound Mick probably has where he lives?.
Thanks again.
Gentlemen,
After following this thread for a long time, I must admit to being intrigued.

1) Does anyone have a headphone jack already or is Jpms the first to order it? If you have it, how do you find it? If not, are there technical difficulties to put one in? (I would have thought the process similar to putting in a third set of RCAs)

2) What are the volume controls on the Syrah and Cortese? Pots? Stepped attenuators?

3) What are the remote functions? Is it possible to get a remote for the Syrah?

Thanks in advance,
Travis
T_Bone, I can only answer your question related to remote control. I got one with my Syrah. The price was an extra $150. The remote is somewhat 'tacky' - it's a plastic off-the-shelf type learning remote with just a few buttons to control volume up and down, and mute (which just quickly reduces the volume to zero). There is no channel change funcionality on the remote - only volume. There are two channel change buttons on the remote, but they operate as simply a fine tune on the volue (slight up and slight down). Still, it's worth it if you're like me and need to change volume frequently and value the convenience.

I've been with my Syrah over a week now and can't say enough good things about it. Its magical.

Best,
John.