Preamp Deal of the Century

Fiddler?? Which type of Mullard GZ34 do you use? I mean, is there any particular vintage? Can you describe it? That's one rectifier I've never tried - I couldn't hear enough of a difference between the GZ37, GZ33 and GZ32 that I skipped right over the GZ34. Perhaps that was a mistake.

114 more posts to top 1K.

After 2 years is this preamp still amazing?
This thread has been going just short of two years. I am wondering if those who bought these preamps a year or two ago are still thinking as highly of this preamp. I am very tempted to buy the Syrah from the raves posted on this thread and have contacted Mick asking about the delay (3-4 months currently). I guess I am mulling it over this weekend. I have a pair of Von Schweikert 4.5's being delivered today with the new Rotel RCD 1072 (another purchase I am making before hearing!) Any amplifier suggestions to mate with the Syrah with this combination?
Lastly, is the Cortese worth double the money? Thanks in advance to anyone who responds to this post.

Fiddler: yea, you must right. I mean, what could I possibly know? If you need to defend a cognitive position so emotively, then I will let you have it, and stay there.

My exchange with fiddler, and those fiddler-like, has taught me something; it is a question to myself, arising over and over, about such things, collectively speaking, that I will now answer. Enjoy your pre's gentlemen.

Bwhite, I have several Mullard/Amperex 5AR4 vintages (so technically not GZ34, but the equivalent) and they all sound the same. Very consistent from tube to tube.

I have tried the stock 5Z4GT, the GZ 32, the CV5745/GZ33, Bendix 6106 and the Mullard 5AR4's and I much prefer the 5AR4/GZ34 to anything else.

Hi Baranya, this is Slowhand. I am the guy that started this thread and I still have my Syrah. I have enjoyed it from day one and have no, I repeat no plans to sell it. The first thing I do each day when I get home from work is to turn my system on and relax with some music. I doubt if I ever sell my Syrah. I know that Mick makes the more expensive pre's, but I am perfectly happy with the Syrah. I agree with the posts that suggest getting a Supratek pre with both line stage and phono stage. Even if you don't use the phono stage right now, you will someday if you want to hear what these preamps will really do. As for amp suggestions, I am using a Berning ZH270 amp and it is a beautiful match with my Syrah. Place your order with Mick, you will not regret it and it is worth the wait.