Having heard Edgar's Chardonnay in his room last summer and having had one of the first Syrahs, I would like to comment on what he and I heard in our two Suprateks. He says, "A mild criticism I had of the Chard (much as I looked for something for crying out loud) was its soundstage, which I found to be marginally narrower and shallower than I was used to from my previous reference preamp." I have not heard the new Sauvignon which he says is far superior, but this is one reason why I abandoned Supratek.
The Exemplar preamps all give a very wide and realistic sound stage. I do not know what is at the base of the Sauvignon's improved performance in this area, but Edgar thinks it is a better power supply. If so, Syrah and Chard users should seriously consider the Sauvignon in my opinion. although it is far more expensive than the Exemplar $2500 line stage.
As I am notorious on another thread for extolling the benefits of the H-Cat solid state preamp, especially it PRECISE sound stage, I naturally would say that it too is a better investment if realism in sound reproduction is your goal.
The Exemplar preamps all give a very wide and realistic sound stage. I do not know what is at the base of the Sauvignon's improved performance in this area, but Edgar thinks it is a better power supply. If so, Syrah and Chard users should seriously consider the Sauvignon in my opinion. although it is far more expensive than the Exemplar $2500 line stage.
As I am notorious on another thread for extolling the benefits of the H-Cat solid state preamp, especially it PRECISE sound stage, I naturally would say that it too is a better investment if realism in sound reproduction is your goal.