Preamp Deal of the Century

Larry,

I was wondering if the SRA products you are using with your gear were custom-made (as all SRA products are) for that particular component? I ask because Kevin usually recommends against using aftermarket feet or other isolation type balls under the gear bewteen his product since it may screw up the customed designed isolation properties of his unit.

I have both his Ohio Class bases and his CRAZ Rack and I screwed around using other feet for sh#@ts and giggles and it never helped.

Frank

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Hi Frank,
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Good to hear from you.
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I have had Kevin make up 4 SRA stands specific pieces in my system (even one under my Teres TT). I bought his standard stands and none were Ohio Class.
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Kevin told me specifically that Rollerblocks and other devices were not necessary and most like would detract from the performance of his stands. He told me of several reviewers and other customers who had tried using other products in conjunction with the SRA stands and how they did not help, but actually lessened the performance of his stands.
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Kevin was great to work with and has a great product line that I recommend whole-heartedly. In my system the Rollerblocks have always enhance the sound whether it be with or without Kevin’s stands.
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I would recommend to anyone that they pick a used pair of Rollerblocks (with Tungsten Carbide balls) and try them under each piece of equipment and see what they get. Worse case scenario would be that you turn around and sell them for more or less what you paid, but I am guessing that they will stay with your system and you will buy more sets.
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I have tried a bunch of different “feet” and interfaces and none came close to Rollerblocks. I have yet to have a friend try them without them going out and buying more sets.
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I will say that I have never tried Rollerblocks under any Ohio Class stands, but I look forward to hearing your results should you decided to try the Rollerblocks.
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I hope that helps.
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Rgds,
Larry
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Thanks Larry. I'm glad you are getting good results with your combination. In my case, I know this may be sacrilege, but I am completely happy with my sound right now (I know, I know, like our Michigan weather, if I wait 10 minutes that can change) so if it ain't broke . . . .

I have heard good things about the Roller Balls but I bought Kevin's CRAZ Rack so I wouldn't have to deal with pucks and balls etc., and I am lucky enough that I haven't had to. I tried putting a few different things under components on the CRAZ Rack and it always (except in one weird case) made things worse. One time, I had a short in my reference IC between my amp and preamp so I was forced to put in a bright sounding IC I had on hand while it was being repaired. To calm that brightness down I put some Harmonix footers under my Reimyo CDP and it produced the intended effect (toned down the brightness) while my normal IC was out. Then again, this was the rack not an SRA custom made base.

With my Ohio Class bases, nothing has ever helped between the component and the base so I've left well enough alone. I guess we all love to tinker but I have now learned my lesson on that front. The way Kevin explained it to me was that something like a roller ball would introduce different degrees of movement antithetical to the objective of the SRA base. In your case, maybe the combination is producing something or acting like a tone control like my Harmonix footer that you like. Hey, if you like it, that's all that matters.

Take care and enjoy that nice TT!!!!

Price gone up so fast! Isn't coincidental when someone is starting to promote the cables? That's why I love Mick... he sticks to the same price for years.

After clarifying with Brad from Revelation Audio Labs, $169 was the previous, introductory price. Also, the conductor gauge used is much heavier than the "regular" 3-pin umbilical, hence the raw materials cost is higher for the Supratek cable. The price ($199 for 0.5m and $229 for 1m) includes free Global Express Mail (EMS) shipping. I have ordered a cable.

Hello Frank,

I have to agree with you on the SRA bases. I trust Kevin and his excellent designs. I too will leave well enough alone with my SRA bases. I have learned to trust Mick with his tube choices in the Supratek preamp also. I am done with tube rolling. I am having too much fun listening to music now.