Supratek Owners & Discussion Thread

[n0bleINtP]

I can't see how the stresses of air freight would be too serious. The entire hull of the aircraft is pressurized. Pretty much the same air in the cargo hold as the cabin - live animals are transported down there. It won't reach the -20 degree conditions outside the aircraft.

Probably just the same risks as any other freight mode - ie. cargo handlers negligently tossing the boxes around?
 

[gryphongryph]

A small update, did not buy the Usher power amp! Got a very good deal on a used Belles SA-30, asked Mick if it would be a good pairing with his Cabernet before closing the deal on the Belles.

The Belles SA-30 is a Class A design, 30watts but has been measured close to 50 watts, with the pre out on my old intergrated it sound very nice, drives my Graham’s fine in my big living room .

This amp gets very warm, can only leave the hand on the thing for a few seconds, but I guess that is Class A for you, it is a very organic sounding amp and I guess the sound will be so much better when I get a Cabernet as pre!

Hopefully later this year.

[Allibert1624706066]

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone here uses a Supratek preamp  and would willing to let me have a listen. I am thinking of getting a new preamp and find very little information on Supratek preamps. They very rarely come up for sale used and am not keen to order from Australia without having heard it first.

Many thanks in advance,Alan98 six 2 one oh 33

 

[John Koehler]

Who repairs Supratek products? 

[Andythiing]

A genius 

[Guest]

Have you tried asking Supratek?

http://www.supratek.com.au/contact.html

[foryou]

Just got my first supratek preamp

 

Chardonnay

[foryou]

some people use 12au7 plus adapter to replace 6SN7 , does anyone do that on Supratek ?

[xlr8or]

The electrical equivalent to the octal 6SN7 in a 9-pin mini is the 6CG7. The 12AU7 operates at different points and also has a different gain. Some other equivalents to consider for the 6SN7 octal include the B65, 33S30B, 5692, 6F8G and 7N7. The last 2 tube types require tube adapters. The Mullard ST shaped ECC32 is also a noteworthy contender.

 

https://www.radiomuseum.org/tubes/tube_6cg7.html

[foryou]

19 hours ago, xlr8or said:

The electrical equivalent to the octal 6SN7 in a 9-pin mini is the 6CG7. The 12AU7 operates at different points and also has a different gain. Some other equivalents to consider for the 6SN7 octal include the B65, 33S30B, 5692, 6F8G and 7N7. The last 2 tube types require tube adapters. The Mullard ST shaped ECC32 is also a noteworthy contender.

 

https://www.radiomuseum.org/tubes/tube_6cg7.html

Yes , 6cg7 and 6sn7 they are the same .
This is how i used with other amp

[Me2also]

On 31/08/2022 at 7:40 PM, foryou said:

Just got my first supratek preamp

 

Chardonnay

Certainly a stunner. Is she treating you well so far?

[Guest Mdieterk]

On 12/08/2017 at 8:20 PM, Gremrock said:

So,

 

I trialled an older Supratek preamp in my system a little while ago and while I wasn't completely overwhelmed with awe, being a 20odd year old design obviously theres been improvements over this time.

 

I'm pretty sure I've decided to make one of these my next preamp after I sell the Bel Canto Pre2p. While the Bel Canto is very versatile with basically any feature you could want and is the absolute quietest preamp i've ever heard, now that I've moved away from a tube power amp i'm beginning to miss it in some respects.

 

What I want is to ask opinions of those who have Supratek pre's in their system or have had, and ideally someone who has upgraded through a couple of the models over the years to help with what circuit/tube configuration I should be looking for, for the best sound. I did have a 101D DHT Consonance for a little while prior to the Bel Canto and it was awesome but sadly had no phono and I couldn't find an external one that I really liked.

 

I understand the new Cortese is available with either the iDHT 6SN7 as standard (which Mick believes to be his best ever circuit for transparency) or 4P1L as the Standard DHT, but can opt for basically any tube of choice..

I've always lusted after the 300B's but i've only heard them in a power amp, and not sure how they behave in a preamp circuit. 

I'm really not sure if I want his ultimate attempt at transparency as I might still end up missing that tube distortion that so many us love, however the flip side is I don't want to lose out on dynamic bass performance in order to get that beautiful midrange.

 

One other aspect to all this is that I have a limited understanding on how output/input impedance, and gain, of pre/power amp interact with each other along with how the input sensitivity of an amp relates to how much of its power becomes usable. I can't seem to find any exact specs on any Supratek model in relation to these measurements, and can only say my Magnus MA300 http://www.magnusaudio.com/MA-300.html is 22db gain with a 50k input (or 100k with Balanced, but unless I can confirm both devices are fully balanced designs i'm not sure this gains anything). I've read you ideally want 1:1000 ratio between pre/power output/input impedance which I'm assuming the Supratek will be above (perhaps 1: 250-500 at a guess?) The concern here above bass performance is that while I had the Syrah in the system, I basically had to have the volume at absolute maximum to get to a "moderate" level, where with the Bel Canto in place, the 0DB offset level on CD playback is too loud to listen to. It's rated at 16db gain & 10v RMS maximum output.

 

Anyway thats me rambled out for now, thank you in advance to any of my fellow audiophools who've dredged through it all and provide helpful opinions and advice

 

 

I should also mention i'm not in the least bit opposed to buying a second hand model if its suitable for the criteria

 

cheers,

Dan

 

[Guest Mdieterk]

Just now, Mdieterk said:

 

Hi

I bought a second hand Chardonnay 2 years old I've had it for a few days I was initially very impressed with the detail but it is very lean sounding it does not sound like a tube preamp at all... the lower midrange and the bass is missing, instruments are just not fleshed iut... you will not have a beautiful sound you will have lean detailed sound... in my view it is incorrect.

I have tried a few preamps over the last year and none compares with the Doge 8 which is also tube design it is absolutely correct. It sounds best with nos Amperex 12at7 from usa you can get them from wiwitubes.com

[Allan]

Hi,

 

I’ve placed an order for a Cabernet 6SN7 and have a few questions.  Rather than annoy Mick with questions he’s probably answered a million times, could anyone advise what comes as standard in the Canbernet 6SN7 pre please...

 

Balanced In and Out?

Adjustable Gain?

HT Bypass?

Bias Setting Instructions?
 

Has anyone a owners manual they could pm me please?

 

thanks

 

 

[Gryffles]

Haha are you scared of Mick 

 

I find it hard to fathom that you have ordered a preamp where you dont even know the specs/features. 

 

There is no bias setting. 

 

Master gain is by vol pot at the rear

 

The others I dunno sorry

[Allan]

Haha, scared of him... I want his full attention on my pre and not on me!
 

Ive read a lot on Supratek to know it’s for me. In fact I went to order from Mick years ago for a Krell FPB Class A only to learn he had shut shop, so I was chuffed to learn he was back in action. The Cabernet will be driving a Levinson 27 and Proacs for Lumin digital and bitza analog...  Audiomods V6 arm, Blackbird MC cart and Graham Slee phono so didn’t go Supratek phono, but can do easily enough later if so desired. I’ve also some home brew first watt class A amps and soon home brew scan speak 4 ways. 
 

the specs and features I asked about, except for gain, really is irrelevant for me, I’m just curious to know that’s all. What counts for me are the sonics and eye candy to some extent, I’ve gone chrome and piano black.
 

 

Edited October 1, 2022 by Allan

[agentorange2]

Here you go.

[Allan]

thanks agentorange2, appreciated. 

What sort of breakin period should i expect for the Cabernet 6SN7?

 

Edited October 2, 2022 by Allan

[agentorange2]

13 hours ago, Allan said:

thanks agentorange2, appreciated. 

What sort of breakin period should i expect for the Cabernet 6SN7?

 

 

Hi Allan , your Cabernet will undergo a test after manufacture > 50hrs , so basically plug & play.

 

I'm more in the " tubes don't burn in - they age " camp.

 

When your Cabernet arrives just connect , let it warm-up ( 10-15mins ) and enjoy.

[Allan]

ok great, no burn in.. just aging like all good wines do - I like that!

 

I'm a bit confused. It seems some Suprateks have balanced in and some dont, most seem to have balanced out though.

If I want balanced in on my Cab 6SN7, should I be requesting this from Mick?

 

One more question if I may... has anyone used a Supratek pre on a Levinson 27 dual mono or similar Levinson amp? Would love to hear their thoughts!!

 

Many Thanks, AL

Edited October 2, 2022 by Allan

[agentorange2]

2 hours ago, Allan said:

ok great, no burn in.. just aging like all good wines do - I like that!

 

I'm a bit confused. It seems some Suprateks have balanced in and some dont, most seem to have balanced out though.

If I want balanced in on my Cab 6SN7, should I be requesting this from Mick?

 

One more question if I may... has anyone used a Supratek pre on a Levinson 27 dual mono or similar Levinson amp? Would love to hear their thoughts!!

 

Many Thanks, AL

 

I didn't request balanced in , the unit was supplied with the option as standard - probably wouldn't hurt to ask.

 

In saying that I don't have long cable runs so single ended works fine for me.

 

Someone else may assist with the pairing of your power amp/s. 

[xlr8or]

True balanced in and out connections to the Supratek tube preamp, as opposed to floating balanced in and out connections, would only be required where true balanced connections are available on the source and power amp ends. Otherwise, it really defeats the purpose of using balanced over RCA connections.

 

Regarding thermally conditioning periods for new production or new or used vintage tubes, which have been dormant for a number of decades, 100-150 hours is preferred. For each listening session, I would also recommend allowing 90 minutes warm up time in before assessing the true tonal character of each  tube type.

[THOMO]

On 28/09/2022 at 11:24 AM, Mdieterk said:

Hi

I bought a second hand Chardonnay 2 years old I've had it for a few days I was initially very impressed with the detail but it is very lean sounding it does not sound like a tube preamp at all... the lower midrange and the bass is missing, instruments are just not fleshed iut... you will not have a beautiful sound you will have lean detailed sound... in my view it is incorrect.

I have tried a few preamps over the last year and none compares with the Doge 8 which is also tube design it is absolutely correct. It sounds best with nos Amperex 12at7 from usa you can get them from wiwitubes.com

That is unusual.Perhaps you need to try some new valves.If you want a warmer/richer sound the Shuguang Treasure CV1881-Z can be used as a 6SN7 alternative.I tried a Doge 8 and it was nowhere near as good sounding as my Supratek Cabernet.

[Guest Mdieterk]

1 minute ago, THOMO said:

That is unusual.Perhaps you need to try some new valves.If you want a warmer/richer sound the Shuguang Treasure CV1881-Z can be used as a 6SN7 alternative.I tried a Doge 8 and it was nowhere near as good sounding as my Supratek Cabernet.

Already on the way from China also a pair of RCA 7n7 which is what dick olsher of TAS uses but meanwhile I have bought an ALLNIC l3000 (which I haven't received yet)

I must say I was disappointed to see the poor quality of parts in the supratek : a $2 selector switch a $1 or less pot for the balance and for the gain adjustment and some of the resistors could be much higher quality too... I think $4,000 AUD is very expensive when you look inside at the parts labour cost should not be so high, either, it's actually very simple to make. 

[THOMO]

17 minutes ago, Mdieterk said:

Already on the way from China also a pair of RCA 7n7 which is what dick olsher of TAS uses but meanwhile I have bought an ALLNIC l3000 (which I haven't received yet)

I must say I was disappointed to see the poor quality of parts in the supratek : a $2 selector switch a $1 or less pot for the balance and for the gain adjustment and some of the resistors could be much higher quality too... I think $4,000 AUD is very expensive when you look inside at the parts labour cost should not be so high, either, it's actually very simple to make. 

Well it is the budget model and there would be at least a $1000 worth of parts in it.Seems like a bargain to me .A while back I had some pretty simple electrical jobs done in my house-ceiling fan installed and some extra power points and meter box rewire  and it came to more than that.

As a furniture maker I get comments like that from some potential buyers.It  will cost how much?And then they don't think twice about paying twice my charge out rate just to have their car serviced!It gets pretty frustrating.