2. amps-preamps
  3. 1016931418

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
bwhite
807 posts
 
Curriemt - Microphonics are relative. If you have microphonic tubes there is no helping the situation other than to replace the tubes. I'd suspect that was the problem with your Cortese. The Cortese is solid.

But...

Because of it's point to point, solid core wiring and relatively thin chassis, I could see how the Cortese might be considered more microphonic because those elements can exacerbate microphonic tubes when compared to something with a PC board like your Janus - or others.

Without getting too in-depth - I might say, the Janus, Rhea and Calypso have their own set of issues to keep owners and dealers quite busy. So much so that my dealer stopped carrying them.
bwhite
807 posts
 
Hi Baranyi - I am no longer using a Supratek - I had the Aesthetix IO Sig before the Supratek. I've tried many preamps lately and to be honest, you've got to spend a lot of money to do better. You guys should be very happy with these & feel no need to change.

That said, I do have gripes about the Supratek's and if those could be fixed, the units would be truly world class. I presume some of the mods that have been written about lately would resolve some of those gripes.
simon74
216 posts
 
Microphonic ? I use my Syrah in a 10x12ft room, way too much amp and way too big speakers but have never had a problem in this respect.
Both psu & pre-amp are floating on Dharumas which must help.
It's the first time I have tried creatura tube dampers without much of a result.
Not sure why this should be but vibration/microphony is certainly not a problem with my pre.
Simon
curriemt11
220 posts
 
Bwhite, I have to disagree. I owned the Cortese for a year and half, went though inumerable 6SN7s and 6922s, including some selected tubes purchased from Kevin Deal, and still the problem was there. By the way, three different types of tube dampers made their way into the system as well. Even in the best case, it was still an exceedingly microphonic preamp.

The Saturn series from Aesthetix had some early teething problems, no doubt about it. These appear to have been solved. In my opinion, the Janus is a superior preamp to the Cortese in almost every regard.
stevem1960
75 posts
 
BWhite, points taken...I'm just making a generalised statement that speakers have probably the greatest effect on the way sound is reproduced (way above any tube rolling in a preamp). Normal cones-n-domes just don't cut the mustard with the fine detail on offer from Supratek preamps. It's not until you start getting involved with electrostats; Raven ribbons; Beryllium drivers; Accuton ceramics; Fostexes or well sorted horns that you truly start to appreciate the nuances of Mick Maloney's artistry.

I'm still curious to know what speakers you guys are using with your Suprateks ?

Regards,

Steve.
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