Preamp Deal of the Century

Ethifi,

I used the CT2 (stereo) - 100K Ohm

http://www.dact.com/html/attenuators.html

It is not really hard to install. You will have to use a file to make a small slot in the attenuator hole of the Supratek chassis. The DACT has a small ear on the side of it to lock it in place in the chassis. As I recall, I think all I had to do to get the DACT to fit was to file a notch in the side of the hole for the DACT ear to fit through. I don't think I had to enlarge the hole, but I can't remember for sure. Either way, it wasn't really hard.

The soldering was rather straight forward. You simply need to make sure you solder the right leads to the right pins. Very little soldering to do, just take your time and be careful. The DACT pins seem somewhat fragile.

The only downside to the 100K Ohm attenuator is I can only turn the DACT up 2 or 3 clicks before things get too loud for my 98db speakers. However, I am changing speakers to a much less efficient speaker so the problem will be a non-issue soon.

Fiddler, thanks for sharing. In your opinion, which of the two upgrades (V-CAP or DACT) make a greater sonic improvement?
Thanks

Ethifi,

There is no doubt that the`V-Caps made the biggest difference. However, I did the DACT first and months later did the V-Caps, so I am sure I heard more of the V-Caps due to the added clarity of the DACT. Had I done the V-Caps first maybe the difference wouldn't have been so great. But in the order I did the mods, the V-Caps made a huge difference.

Does anyone have the gain specs on the Chardonnay? I've seen a value of 20 something somewhere??

Thanks

Mick wrote me in Nov that "... Gain is from 5 to 25dB depending on switch." The master switch at the back of the preamp controls the amount of gain from 5 to 25 dB.