Preamp Deal of the Century

Artar1 - I have an older model Cortese linestage with only 12db gain. Current models have 27db gain. I can't comment on the phono stage but judging from the linestage I don't think there is the any romanticism in the Supratek Preamps. They tend to be about as transparent as you would expect with a passive linestage. FWIW, I also have what is perhaps the most transparent of all passive-preamps, EVS nude-attentuators. Maybe that qualifies as "ruthlessly revealing", I'll let you decide.

Painting with a broad brush in this comparison, I would say the Supratek preamps are the antithesis to the CJ and Hovland house-sound and more in-line with the First Sound products.

Jazzdude,

Thank you, thank you, and thank you. I get it.

I like a more golden, relaxed sound, which others might find cloying, uninvolving, veiled, or syrupy.

I have very keen hearing and have a very difficult time tolerating high-pitched, overly defined, etched, clinical, bright, or overly dynamic sound of any kind. If you can believe it, Rock music has never appealed to me, especially Acid Rock, Heavy Metal, or dynamic electric guitar solos because of what I hear as excessive upper midrange energy.

Thanks again for creating an effective frame of reference for me to understand the sound of the Cortese.

Cheers

Artar1 - just for clarification purposes. I would not consider the Cortese "high-pitched, overly defined, etched, clinical, bright, or overly dynamic". It is certainly not etched or cinical. However it also certainly does not have that "golden" sound you are looking for.

Artar: The Cortese sounds 'beautiful' for want of a better word. It *will* sound romantic if the nature of the recording demands it, and ruthlessly revealing if there is lots of information on the disc.

Midrange purity and correctness is a particular strength of the Cortese. You have to understand that Mick used a pair of stacked Quad ESL-57 electrostaic loudspeakers for a number of years before going to Edgar Horns and now Goodmans Axioms, so you have a person/designer who really appreciates nice midrange and strong dynamics from his speakers (there is no better midrange than that found in the Quad ESL).

The Cortese is 'alive' sounding with excellent 3 Dimensional and spacial presentation - on superb recordings the soundstage is brought right into your living room! I use upsampling 24 bit 96/192 kHz DACs and the full effect of these wonderful DA converters is realised with this preamp.

Regards

Steve M.

Jazzdude,

I hope that I did not give the impression that the Cortese is bright in anyway because I don't believe that to be the case from what you and others have said about the unit in this forum and elsewhere. So I apologize if there's any misunderstanding.

If my understanding about the Cortese is correct, it has the balance, neutrality, clarity, detail, impact, immediacy, and dynamics of a First Sound Presence preamp. The Cortese, however, offers a touch more lushness and sweetness than the First, which gives the Cortese a life-like sound that is not too ruthless and unforgiving. It puts instruments and voices in the room in an uncanny way, something few components are capable of.

If my view of the unit, of course without hearing it, is somehow way off base, please correct me. After all, those who have purchased the Cortese began where I am now -- poised to take the leap of faith that will lead to sonic bliss.