2. amps-preamps
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Options to replace Supratek Chennin Pre

Looking for suggestions for a replacement pre for my Supratek Chennin Preamp. I absolutely love most everything about this pre except in my system it is slightly lean. I would like to stay with tubes unless the nature of tube pres is to be a little lean. HT pass thru is a requirement. The Supratek has a HT pass thru and I love how simple it is to backdoor HT through the hi fi. Price range will be about $3,500.00 new or used. I want something that will retain or exceed the holographic, open, precise sound stage that the Supra offers but with more slam and extension in the bass. I recently pulled the pre out of the system and ran direct from the wadia 861 and bass slam was improved to an exceptable degree but obviously lost all benefits of tubes.
System:
Wadia 861
Supratek
Parasound JC 1s
Vandy 3A sig
2WQ subs
Audioquest Cheetah, Cardas Golden Cross intercon
Alphacore MI2 spk cable bi wired
braro
jond's avatar
jond
3,400 posts
 
Herron VTSP-1A was what I went to happily after my Supratek Syrah, or try a custom tube preamp from Vu at Deja Vu Audio in Virginia. Killer gear and a great rep, username on hear is Vudoo. I'm just a happy customer, no affiliation. Happy listening!
sbank's avatar
sbank
2,038 posts
 
Have you tried rolling tubes in the Syrah. There's 1000s of posts here on others experience w/it. That would certainly worth trying first. Cheers,
Spencer
ecclectique
509 posts
 
Hi Braro. A very good suggestion by Spencer. What gain tube[6sn7] are you currently using? Many flavours of the 6sn7 can sound a little lean in the chenin, particularly in the upper bass/lower midband area.
braro OP
87 posts
 
Ecclectique - I am running the stock tubes in the Chennin. I will have to check when I get home but I think they are Electro Harmonix (sp). I have followed the Supra threads a little and it seemed like lately people were just using stock tubes as they feel Micks voicing is good. I would be thrilled if all I need to do is change a couple 6sn7s. I will see what I can come up with as far as tubes go before I give up on the Supra as it is fantastic in so many ways. Any suggestions on tubes much appreciated. Thanks
goatwuss
875 posts
 
Before doing "luck of the draw" gear swaps, why don't you measure your system's frequency response? Bass "slam and extension" and "lean-ness" should be easily able to be measured.

Measure your system both with and without the preamp, and compare the differences that you see in the chart.

That will give a much more clear picture, and pave the way for fixing what you don't like about it
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