Preamp Deal of the Century

Thanks Ray. I think I will wait till the first of the year and get the Chenin. I am told that its phono stage is better than my Wright so it seems to be worthwhile to get it. Also it seems that I have read that the Chenin has adjustments to help optimize its performance with the amp. Is that correct?

Artemus,If you have any questions concerning the CJ ,Chardonnay combo please feel free to email me.

the screws aren't very long at all so any penetration inside the chassis is minimal at best from my recollection.

Kgturner,
Thanks for the response- so the screws need to be reinserted after the feet been removed. Would they go all the way into the chassis?

i've never taken the feet of my power supply, but the feet on my chardonnay are easily removed. the screws that hold the feet on also hold the bottom plate on as well.

Can somebody tell me if the stock feet on Chenin and power supply are removable? I'm going to try Herbie's tenderfeet under it, but afraid stock feet are taller than Herbie's.
It looks like the feet holding screws might be holding something else on the chassis.

Amandarae: RE "...you can always use a tee to change the load for different values not readily available from the switch settings..." [47K, 1K, 100, 10]

What's a 'tee' and how does one use it to set the load between the four settings on the slider switch?

Oh yeah, its an RCA tee. One end is male, the two remaining are female. What you do is to use one for each channel. The male end goes to the preamp as normal. One of the female end is where the tonearm signal cable (L or R) connects to, the remaining female end is where you solder a resistor so that it will be in parallel to the load setting of the slider switch on the preamp. After that, you can calculate the effective load from the combination.

Whew! It is hard to explain it here but once you see a picture, then you will understand the concept right away. Go to AA(under Vinyl) and type "resistor loading" or such.

Congrats Kgturner! I am as excited as I am sure you are. That is great news. WOW, what a Christmas present. Be sure to keep the rest of us posted.

tom

fyi:

i got the email from mick today stating my malbec's were ready. looks like christmas is coming a little early for me this year!

Amandarae: RE "...you can always use a tee to change the load for different values not readily available from the switch settings..." [47K, 1K, 100, 10]

What's a 'tee' and how does one use it to set the load between the four settings on the slider switch?

Thanks!

Thanks Amandarae & Kgturner. I thought that the HT bypass issue had probably been resolved by now, but the length of this thread (about 6.2 million & counting) is prohibitive in finding out. I had also heard good things about the phono section but wasn't sure how it compared. I'm very fond of the Wright but not so much of the Tranny and extra IC's. Maybe the Chenin is worth pursuing though i've never been a fan of built ins because they are usually inferior.

I would like to add from the excellent post of Kgturner above with regards to repairing the Supratek preamps. I read that the unit can be send to Kevin Covi in Upstate NY for repair as well. I hope that someone can confirm this.

Also, when I was having a paranoia regarding the channel imbalance of my preamp about 14 months ago, Mick sent me a schematic (plus phono)with info on the test points and levels to be measured. I measured all the voltages spot on. I found out that it was not the preamp responsible for the problem that I noticed after all and was able to isolate it to the source being use at the time.

rgds

artemus:

the ht bypass issue has long since been corrected. my chardonnay has the ht bypass and it works flawlessly. i can't remember the exact amount i paid extra, but you can email mick directly and he'll tell you. i don't think it was more than $200 extra if that much.

on the supratek site, mick addresses the issue of what happens if the supratek needs servicing. he states:

It shouldn't but if it does getting it sorted takes priority - the best way is to get it fixed in your home state- while Supratek products are unique they aren't complex and any good technician should be able to solve any problems. With email I can send circuit diagrams and discuss any problems with the technician. The robustness of all Supratek products means that any problems will be minor. I am setting up a circle of good technicians around the globe as I'm able. Naturally I pay for any repairs.

as far as the phono section is concerned, i can't speak to that as i don't use vinyl. from what everybody has said, the phono section of the supratek is first-class.

Me,me,me!

how does the phono preamp in the Chenin compare to a Wright phono preamp? i have the wright and am very fond of it. has anyone compared the two?

I had the Wright WPP100C (see my sytem pics). It was "tubed" with Mullard 6ER5 and Telefunken 12AU7 and/or RCA 6ER5 and RCA 5814 Black plates when I was using them. It is a good phono preamp but it was noisy when the pots were about 1/2 position of the total gain. I have tried many tube combos on the 12AU and 6ER5 positions but the one I posted above was the combo or combos plus a Tungsol 6X4 where tube rush was at minimum. Nevertheless, it is a good preamp whose performance is above its price point IMHO.

Compared to the Chenin phono section, my Wright phono pre was clearly inferior in terms of dynamics, quietness, and focus. Eliminating another set of IC's and SUT's maybe contributed to the outcome but the circuit design and the sound of the phono section of the Chenin, after two year ownership and counting, is always very good to my ears. There's one caveat, however, that is you can only use an MC cart with output not higher than 2.5 mV.

Who cares right? For the life of me, I have never owned an MC cart with an output higher than 0.8 mV! I tried a Denon (0.25 mV)with a 1:18 transformer to the input of the Chenin's phono (that is 4.5 mV output!) and it works. I cannot detect any "overload" symptoms but my experiment only lasted few LP tracks. It is better to be safe than sorry!

With regards to loading, my pre comes with four settings through a slider switch (47k, 1k, 100, 10). But this is not a problem because you can always use a tee to change the load for different values not readily available from the switch settings.

BTW, if you check my sytem pics, there are two other phono preamps I have currently (one will be gone in a few weeks cause my friend is buying it from me). I am using the Chenin and I am convince that it is better. It is my "heavy hitter" per se!

cheers

I'm thinking very seriously about ordering the Chardonnay but I have a few questions. From my reading of the first couple of pages of this thread, it seemed that the theater bypass was problematic and caused some troubles? Has this problem been solved with the newer preamp? What is the cost of the theater bypass option? Also, what is the procedure if there is a problem and the unit needs service? Is there a place in the US that does repairs?
On another note, how does the phono preamp in the Chenin compare to a Wright phono preamp? i have the wright and am very fond of it. has anyone compared the two?
Thanks

My used Chenin arrived yesterday and after settling in, it sounds really great, really more like musical instruments and less like electronics than any other preamp I have heard. Ah, those timbres! And those flowing dynamics, more like the real thing than the razor-edged, "I-am-your-amp-here-I-am" dynamics you find elsewhere... I would like to stress that Mick Maloney is a class act. This guy has provided and keeps providing extraordinary service and help with a few issues (tubes) I have. And mind you, I bought my Chenin used and not directly from him. I really wish the high-end industry was full of persons like Mick Maloney. Then our fine hobby would be more widespread, I dare to believe. Now I understand the cult following that Supratek enjoys.
Best,
frankiealverti

Ikkyu2:

the labelling on your 6106 is correct. i believe the main difference between the 5AR4 and 5Y3GT (6106) is that the 6106 has a longer rise time than the 5AR4. the 6106 rises considerably slower than the 5AR4 as i'm sure you've noticed. for all intents and purposes though, the 6106 is interchangeable with the 5AR4 in the supratek circuit. check this thread for more discussion about the 6106 in suprateks:

Supratek Tubes and Tube Swappin' for Everybody

Hi Ikkyu2, Yes ,the Chenin is an incredibly good preamp for the money. The phono stage is the icing on the cake so to speak! I like what the Bendix 6106 does in the lower midrange on down,I have not experienced any cut off in the upper treble from this tube.From new the Bendix takes along time to burn in. Some members here have had problems using the 6106.Test done on my 6106 shows strong values and both sides match the same. A discoloration formed on the getter spot on my Bendix, also on a couple of my metal base GZ-34s. This is normal. However the stock rectifier was in use as much as the others. It does not have any coloration on the getter spot at all. Hmm.

Just a report back on the replacement of my stock regulators (Sovtek 5881). The Sovtek KT66's have settled in and the image wandering I was experiencing is basically gone. From what I've been reading, it would seem to have less to do with the tube type (plenty of endorsements for the Sovtek 5881) and more with condition (alas, I don't have a tester).

Also put in the Bendix 6106 rectifier to replace the Sovtek 5AR4. I think these take many hours to break in, but after about 3 it seems better..clearer, more solid in the low end; the highs seem a little cut off, but again, it's early.

I got it from Tube Depot and the box has a label on it that said: "This tube is a Bendix 6106 / 5Y3GT. Richardson mis-labeled them as 5AR4 years ago. This tube is NOT a 5AR4." Obviously, the tube is labeled 5AR4. Has anybody encontered this?

Best regards,

For the record, I too was dragged to "tube rolling" here regarding how much improvement you can benefit from it. In fact, I fired some of my recommendations as well while I am at it. But in all honesty, as I mentioned before trying to report about how good the preamp really is without canging anything but just waiting patiently for it to settle, the stock tubes that Mick shipped are the tubes where the preamp is calibrated. Granted that not two people are alike, it might be wise to let the thing run for a while before constantly buying and replacing the tubes to tailor the sound. So far, the only tubes that I replaced that I am succesful are the two 6C4 tubes in my Chenin

Ooops! Correction! I forgot to add the Sovtek KT66 works wonders for me in the preamp also. It's been a long time since I worry about the tubes on my Chenin. So I thought I still have the Sovtek regulators in there.

Stiltskin, glad to hear that you like the tubes.

Regards

Hi Artemus, Raytheprinter had the Conrad Johnson Chardonay combo.Rays a good guy and I'm sure he will help you out. Speaking of tubes,the E.H. gold pin 6SN7s and Sovtek KT66 [Thanks Abe] perform very well in my Chenin. As for the rectifier, the stock Sovtek works very well. I have a half dozen metal base Philips Mini and other early production GZ-34s,Telefunken,Siemens,Mullard and Bugal Boy. They all worked very well in my Chenin.However a $20.00 n.o.s. Bendix 6106 will do nicely also.....

Artemus,I had that combo for a bout a year,,,worked great!!

OK so here I am looking for a new preamp and really considering the Conrad Johnson LS17. I would rather have the 16, but i can't afford that right now. I'm really close to pulling the trigger on the 17 when i decide to come here and see what others are saying about it when I stumble across this thread.
I am a die hard CJ fan. But I keep reading about this preamp (Chardonnay) bettering the CJ 17 (and maybe the 16 but I haven't read that far yet). So now I am intrigued and have emailed Mick to see what the lead time is on the Chardonnay. Maybe there was a reason that I hadn't pulled the trigger on the 17 yet. Anyway, thanks. I hope I can get one soon. I had heard of Supratek but didn't realize it had such a cult following. Then too, i haven't been looking for a preamp......till now.
The only reason for a change of preamp is that I want to see what a good tube preamp will do for my system. Anyone running a CJ MF 2500A with the chardonnay? Is it a good match?

Thanks Dilly and all.

The Sovtek KT66's arrived today (from Tube World) and made an immediate improvement out of the box over the stock Sovtek 5881's in the Chenin. After an only an hour they're really settling in. Greater clarity, less reverberant 'mush', better focus. We're getting there.

Bendix 6106 rectifier is on its way here from Tube Depot. Will report back soon.

Back to the music . . .

I was wondering if I could hear from people who have replaced a TVC linestage with a Supratek and experienced a large increase in dynamics and any other positive effects?

I've been very happy with my TVC but have noted that my system does lack SOTA dynamics. Just not quite there. So, I am looking into active linestages once again and the Supratek gear is high on my list.

Thanks!

i'm using a bendix 6106 in the rectifier position and have never noticed any type of image shift in my chardonnay. i also use eh 6SN7 and sovtek KT66 tubes. i think there are still several bendix 6106 at tubedepot.com for $30 per tube. it's definitely worth a try in my opinion.

Ecclectique, thanks for your VERY helpful analysis.

And for the helpful vocabulary: "image wandering"...that's exactly what it is! The pianist strikes the note and you hear it left center, but then it spreads out, sometimes to the left and right, sometimes just to the right. Similarly with sax or coronet. When this happens with most of the instruments in the music, the soundstage is reverberating within itself. (There does seem to be more focus with high impact, high frequency sounds like snare drum and high hat.)

Not surprisingly, this quality is less a negative with orchestral work...probably because it simulates some of the reverberation in a concert hall. But for jazz it is crazy-making.

My rectifier (stock) is Sovtek 5AR4. It says "Made in Russia" and "04 04" on it, the latter being the production date I suppose. Looks like it's "Bye bye Sovtek!"

So I've read your glowing endorsement for the Philips Miniwatt GZ34, Made in Holland, 1957 as the best. At $350 it should be. Does one really need to spend that kind of $$ to make the Chenin sing? Are any of the $100 NOS up to the task? Where would you say the point of diminishing returns is?

I'm ready to take the next step.

Thx, John

PS - Oh, in answer to your question. The image wandering is for both CD and phono, but it is more pronounced with phono (maybe cause the sound is going though more tubes?).

Thanks for the suggestion on the Sovtek KT66. This being my first tube preamp, I swore I wasn't going to get entangled in Tube rolling.
I've had the Chenin for a week and I just ordered a pair of the Sovteks. This preamp is making me unreasonable, it sounds magnificant, yet I want MORE!

Hi John. Firstly, congrats on your new addition: amazing eh. Amandarae...a very good description regarding the duty of the rectifier and regulation. John, are you experiencing this image wander artifact with the phono stage only.... or is it noticeable with cd playback as well? The supratek preamps exhibit the most focused and stable imaging out there, and to this day the best yours truly has ever heard in that regard. I would hazard to guess this image wandering to be a tube related issue as opposed to speaker placement. The rectifier being the usual suspect here and the common denominator. It would be a good idea to test your rectifier,making sure it test's strong and matched on both sides.... a weak or an unbalanced rectifier will surely exhibit some image shift or wander. For example: the sovtek 5ar4's are notorius for image shift and wander in many high rez tube circuits. I wasn't aware that Mick is now supplying nos Mullard rectifiers as a stock tube with his preamps, kudos to Mick. The nos Mullard 5ar4/gz34 will traditionally last for many many years however, being that they are a full wave rectifier... I have seen more than a few with unbalanced halves. Further more: mismatched regultors can also exhibit this artifact.

Thanks Amandarae and Dilly. I will look into the Sovtek KT66. At under $50 bucks there's not much risk.

Best, John

Ikkyu, See my post dated 31-May-06 & Amadarae post dtd. 14-May-06. For very little money you can have a significant improvement with the Sovetek KT66 tubes. These are the same tubes Mike sent as stock for the Six Moons review.

Hi John,

Check your manual! It outlines the tube for the phono section. My Chenin have the 6922 and 6C4 tubes for the phono.

The linestage tubes are the 6SN7's (or liestage output tubes). The 5881/6L6 are the regulators. The 5AR4 is the rectifier.

The way I understand it, what the 5AR4 does is to convert the AC voltage (from the wall) to DC voltage to provide the rail voltages needed (B+, B-) by the preamp base on the design criterion. The regulators as the name implies regulates the voltage level so that any sag of the rectified voltage will not produce a ripple on the DC voltage affecting the performance (bias etc. ) of the tubes.

regards

Hi, Slipknot1. Thanks much for your insights!

My speaker placement has been stable throughout all of my equipment upgrades to this point, not by neglect or stubbornness, but because there hasn't been any need to change. Leads me to think that the decreased imaging/focus has something to do with the Chenin with its stock tubes.

I will probably give a try to adjusting speaker placement if no other logical options present themselves, but from my previous experience with the sonic effects of changing tubes, it just seemed to me that tubes might be the starting point.

Make no mistake...I am totally thrilled with the dramatic improvement in sonic performance of the Supratek Chenin! Like most, I'm just hoping to 'get it all.'

Hoping for others with helpful experience to chime in!

Two other questions ('cause I'm not an electrical engineer):

1. I know the 6922 is part of the phono stage. Is that just the only one pair? Put another way, which are in the line stage?

2. Just what does the rectifier tube do to the rest of the system sonically??

Best regards, John

John-
The imaging issues you are experiencing have not been a problem in my room. I have also not spent any serious effort tube rolling, save for the swapping of the 6SN7s for a pair of RCA grey glass VT231s which I really liked. Like you, I have been interested in doing something about the stock 5AR4 rectifier by going with a GZ34 - but not for that kind of money. I figure Mick knows what he is doing when he ships the tubes it comes with, so I have just been enjoying it.

Re: the imaging: have you experimented with speaker toe in/out since putting the Supratek in your rig? At 9.5 ft apart and 10 feet away, you may have some wiggle room there to account for the overall presentation of the soundstage as reproduced by the Supratek.

Greetings, Supratek community!

I am not new to this thread, having come across it a couple years ago. Which planted the seed in my mind to someday get a Syrah (now, of course, the Chenin).

Well, I just picked up my Chenin from a fellow A-goner. Despite my high expectations, I'm stunned with what it reveals in the music. And obviously pleased.

My system is already pretty resolved: Nottingham Spacedeck with Anna arm and Benz Ebony H cartridge, Audio Aero Prima CDP, Belles 150A Reference amp, ICs are all Kimber Select 1021 and speaker cable is Kimber BiFocal XL. Two dedicated circuits (amp, other), Shunyata Hydra 2 (amp) and Hydra 4, and all power cords are Shunyata Taipan Helix. The weak spot in the system (or so I thought), was my speakers: Kef Reference Model Twos.

I had been using an Audible Illusions Modulus 3A MM phono preamp, tweaked with gold fuses (from The Cable Company) and upgraded Super Low Noise Yugoslavian NOS 6922s (from Roger Mojesky of RAM). The AI was damn good sounding.

System was very open, broad soundstage, good imaging on CD or vinyl (I listen to 75% vinyl). Bass was tight, but not as extended. Highs were good, but not what I've heard with a good ribbon tweeter setup (like Dali Helicon).

What motivated me to change, you say? Well, mostly a desire to experiment with lower output MC cartridges without breaking the bank on a phono stage or Hovland pre. And all the Supratek hype on this thread gave me some confidence the Chenin could perform.

So what difference did the Chenin make? A HUGE one! A level of detail and clarity that astounds. More vertical soundstage and more depth. An ability to relay the information on CD that brings it much closer in sonic quality and enjoyability to vinyl. My wife was upstairs in her office when I was running the Chenin through it's first paces. When she came down, I asked her if she could hear the difference. She said, "Yes, it sounds clearer."

In fact, so much more information is being passed through the Chenin, that I am no longer anxious to upgrade from the Kefs. That vintage (1994-96) of the Kef reference Series (especially the Two and Three) are probably the best speaker they ever made. With the Chenin, the highs (cymbals on jazz trios) are much higher and crisper, with more air. The bass is more extended. Not down into the low 20's, but FULL all the way down to the 40 hz range these speakers go. I may yet upgrade (looking at the Helicon 800's, VR-4 jrs, maybe Chapman), but there's no rush.

So with that introduction, I'd like to ask the community for some advice.

What's missing: While there's overall more sonic detail in the Chenin, the imaging is less precise and focused. A vocalistor guitar sounds like they're in a certain spot, but then the notes sort of smear out to left and right as the music modulates, rather than staying in the same focus range. Is this normal?

The soundstage width has shrunk. My speakers are 9.5 feet apart (listening position is 10' away). Soundstage used to extend 2-4 feet outside of the speakers. Now it seems to be confined between.

Tubes that came with the unit are all stock: EH 6SN7, Sovtek 5881, Philips 6J6, an 'FSCM' 6922, and Mullard rectifier 5AR4.

I have some 6922s to play with: Amperex, Matsushita, and the RAMs.

I read with interest the suggestion by ecclectique that changing the rectifier tube to a metal base GZ-34 was the single most significant tube upgrade. Then I checked the tube world website and saw it was $350+! Is it that good?

So, stiltskin, slipknot1, fiddler, ecclectique, others:

...any suggestions how to regain the precise imaging and/or wider soundstage?

Thanks in advance,

- John

Supra upper mids/lower treb? Are people always working on that part? Ken Rad black glass 6SN7's? Hmmmm....Has anyone listened to how Kondo deals w/ upper mids/lower treb while still maintaining dynamics?

Not me!!!!

IMO, this is too much to ask solely from the preamp. The Supratek is not a magic tool. It is a very good preamp but needs to be mated, to maintain synergy, with good components too. The preamp is now telling you the truth about the systems shortcomings base on your preference and you have to single it out as the culprit? Not wise IMHO!

For the record, I too was dragged to "tube rolling" here regarding how much improvement you can benefit from it. In fact, I fired some of my recommendations as well while I am at it. But in all honesty, as I mentioned before trying to report about how good the preamp really is without canging anything but just waiting patiently for it to settle, the stock tubes that Mick shipped are the tubes where the preamp is calibrated. Granted that not two people are alike, it might be wise to let the thing run for a while before constantly buying and replacing the tubes to tailor the sound. So far, the only tubes that I replaced that I am succesful are the two 6C4 tubes in my Chenin.

Been there, done that, never again! FWIW, did you guys noticed long time Supratek owners in the last 3 months (myself included)un-loading here at Audiogon NOS tubes they accumulated and found out they do not need? My point is, some of us got so carried away from recommendations of such tubes and when the dust settled found ourselves in full circle journey by accident. That is, putting back all the stock tubes shipped with the unit and was shocked that the preamp sounds better with them than the costly NOS tubes.

Of course, YMMV and I am just reporting my experience.

cheers

Richmon,
thanks. Seeing them in the picture I just couldn't figure out what they were for.
Best,
frankiealverti

Frankiealverti - Those two switches are left/right gain switches, the choices are low gain or high gain. You can adjust the pre to match your power amp with these, additionally there's a gain dial on the back for further fine tuning of the gain. With my Connie J MF2250A I run the switches in the high setting, and the dial next to the highest setting sounds best to these ears.
This is a nice feature of the Supratek, the ability to fine tune the gain for best synergy with your amp.

Asa, could you elaborate on your statement regard. "upper mids/lower treble? People working on that part"?

Hi Slowhand,

thanks for the reply. Just one more question. I can see two small switches on the Chenin main chassis (front left and right). What are they good for?
Best,
frankiealverti

Hi slowhand

Feet? Shun Mook. Experiment w/ them, around, here and there. Don't ask me why.

6 moons, sjaen (sp?) Good ears, a smattering too much Zen (capital "Z", is he listening?)

Koetsu? Of course...

Adcom to Supra. Good, hear that, but know that when a good part goes up it doesn't raise all boats. At first, yes, but, later, exposes other boats.

Supra upper mids/lower treb? Are people always working on that part? Ken Rad black glass 6SN7's? Hmmmm....Has anyone listened to how Kondo deals w/ upper mids/lower treb while still maintaining dynamics?

Interesting topic.

I have never found Supratek preamps to sound "forward" or "in your face". This is what I love about Mick's preamps, they are very good at conveying the music without adding to it. If the recording is bad, you will know it. If the recording is great, you will be in heaven.

If you guys are not listening to analog through your Supratek's, I highly recommend that you start. As good as the line stage is, the phono stage is the real gem. I am ALWAYS able to relax more when listening to LP's. They just have a more organic sound to them.

Maril555, I believe the "hard" sound that you are hearing must have to do with lack of break in. Remember, these preamps only get better with time. This is why so many people throughout the thread have recommended not tube rolling for the first 200 hours.

When I had my Syrah, I used to tube roll, but now that I have my Cortese, I just don't feel the need. It is fun to do for a while, but Mick tunes these preamps to the tubes he puts in them, and I trust his judgement. I own various 6sn7's, VT-231's, but what I use in the Cortese is EH 6sn7's. They sound great and you won't go broke buying tubes.

Hi everybody,
would you please advise on the Supratek Chenin? I own Quad ESL-57's (w/PK treble panels) driven by a refurbed Radford STA-25 MkIII (great combination imo). I (have to) listen nearfield. My current pre is a Precision Fidelity C-7a sp (w/step-up trannies for MC) and my cart is a ZYX Fuji silver (0.2 mV). I do like this set-up, but I have read so many good things about the Chenin and now I could get it used. Would you recommend the Chenin for my system? Some people indicate it is a bit forward sounding. While I slightly prefer relaxed and a bit laid-back to forward sound, wouldn't the Chenin's sound complement the laid-back character of the 57's?
Another question: through my current set-up each LP sounds very different, i.e. it is a relatively "neutral" system and I like that very much. Could it be that the Chenin has a too strong personality which would make LP's sound less different and so the system less "neutral"? I would appreciate fast responses very much.
Regards,
frankiealverti

Richmon,
I'm in a similar situation, as you are. I recently bought a new Chenin from Mick M., and wanted to share my impressions.
When you say:"amount of ‘sweetness’ in the midrange, would like some more of that."- I'm not exactly sure what you meant, but what I'm hearing, is the slight emphasis in the presence region (voices especially).
It does make it sound very "alive", but on some recordings it becomes too forward, boardering on irritating.
Again, I like many things, that Chenin does excellently, but it defenitely will not let you " to sit back and relax", it requires your full attention.
And to me it's becoming a matter of personal preference in a sense what one expects from the listening session- relaxation or kind of an "analytical" and "wow" experience.
I should make a few reservations though:
My Chenin is new and likely is not broken-in fully
My source is digital (Modwright tubed Denon 3910)
And my impressions are of course relative to my previous pre-amp McIntosh C-45.
I would love to know if anybody else shares my impression of Supratek midrange?
Also, what tube(tubes) can make midrange to sound more "recessed" if you will.

Thanks for the feedback lads, hard to believe that the phono will be even better than the line output, Jimi Hendrix was in my living room last night, playing the 'experience Hendrix' CD remaster of Electric Ladyland. Found myself in the kitchen between CD's muttering to myself 'damn that sounded good, damn that sounded good' - if the LP playback gets even better, scarey to think what I'll be mumbling about next.
My concern about the heat build up around the power supply tube was more about tube life, not actual fire.

Richmon: With your concerns about heat, just stick a 4"x4" square double layer of aluminium tinfoil (shiney side out) under the shelf above your power supply tube, it should act as a heatshield. Since you have an open sided shelf, heat build up shouldn't be a problem.

Slowhand: I agree, the Supratek phono sections are a real gem! My turntable with Koetsu Rosewood cartridge murders my digital front-end consisting of Sony XA-7ES + Bel Canto DAC-2. Digital sound is nice when listened to in isolation, but just doesn't stand up to an A-B comparison against analogue...

Regards,

Steve M.

My only disappointment is the amount of ‘sweetness’ in the midrange, would like some more of that. Three questions for my Supratek bretheren;
1) Any NOS tubes that’d exchange some bass response for more midrange sweetness?
2) what would be an appropriate level of turntable for this phonostage, I was thinking MMF7 or something in that strata – can I go for a less table like the MMF5 or would going up the food chain be the hot ticket?
3) the power supply tube is only an inch from the next shelf and the bottome of the shelf feels very warm to the touch. The rack is open on all sides. Cause for concern ?

1.) Sylvania VT231 have a sweet midrange and less bass punch as well as RCA VT231 in my system. The EH 6SN7 though sounds wonderful as well and does not command the outrageous NOS tube prices.

2.) I would recommend a Teres table. Also, a Denon 103R while you are at it with a high mass arm.

3.) Although it will take an enormous amount of heat from the tubes to burn your shelf even at an inch away which is impossible to achieve with the 5AR4/5Y3 type tube, peace of mind is the thing that really matters here in the long run.

cheers

.
Sorlowski,
.
I have the Rollerblocks placed under both the Pre-Amp and the Power Supply.
.
The Rollerblocks are placed in direct contact with the bottom plate of the boxes (not in contact with the rubber feet).
.
Rgds,
Larry
.

Hello Richmon,

I am not much into tube rolling anymore, but I seem to remember owners saying the RCA gray glass 6sn7 had a sweet midrange. As for the phono stage, IT IS WORLD CLASS! This is what Mick's preamps are known for. Get the best analog setup you can and you will be rewarded in the sound. I am using a VPI Aries 2 EXTended with the VPI JMW 12.5 arm and a ZYX Yatra cartridge. KILLER SOUND! I also have a Modded Sony SCD-1 SACD player. It can't hold a candle to my analog setup. Mick's phono stage will also handle the lowest moving coil cartridge you can find with no trouble. Mine is .24mv and I have tons of gain. You have a preamp that is worthy of the best associated equipment.

Have Fun!

Just replaced my Adcom GFP-750 with a used Supratek Chenin, going from a ‘giant killer’ to the ‘preamp of the century’, which is how these two units are written about. The rest of the system is a Musical Fidelity A5 player, Conrad Johnson MF2250 amp, Von Schweikert VR4-JR speakers, Acoustic Zen Satori Shotgun speaker wires, VH audio interconnects and a JPS labs digital power cord, VH Audio Flavor ? on preamp and CJ. Gadzooks what a difference in the bass, much tighter, more prominent. The soundstage opened up considerably, deeper and wider the digital glare is much reduced and I’m hearing lots of new things on familiar recordings.
My only disappointment is the amount of ‘sweetness’ in the midrange, would like some more of that. Three questions for my Supratek bretheren;
1) Any NOS tubes that’d exchange some bass response for more midrange sweetness?
2) what would be an appropriate level of turntable for this phonostage, I was thinking MMF7 or something in that strata – can I go for a less table like the MMF5 or would going up the food chain be the hot ticket?
3) the power supply tube is only an inch from the next shelf and the bottome of the shelf feels very warm to the touch. The rack is open on all sides. Cause for concern ?
Thanx much.