Preamp Deal of the Century

Hi Everybody.
I've got some good news and some bad news. The bad news for present owners is that I've completely redesigned the Cortese/Sauvignon and the Grange/Cabernet preamps. Sorry, but as the label on the old GE tube boxes says "Progress is our most important product"
The good news is that after many years I finally have the "higher-end" production pres sounding as I always have wanted them to sound.
It has been a hard and often frustrating journey- I've always prefered the sound of high gain preamps, although there is more to it than just the gain aspect as phase is a very important and often overlooked part of the overall sound design package.
The high gain pres sound more "alive" and 3D like- they have magical imaging properties that can throw a soundstage as deep as wide with the right speakers and amps.
The difference is not subtle- it is instantly more realistic and lifelike. Joyful isn't too strong a word.
The BIG problem is the high gain- everything gets amplified to high levels, including the inherant noise of the preamplifier, which is quite low, being fully regulated.
However the inherant noise of the following power amp also gets amplified and these are usually much noisier than a good preamp.
If the power amp has high gain, and many do these days in order to be used with CD direct, then the hum and noise can be intrusive,especially with high effeciency speakers.
The solution is to use a low gain/sensitivity power amp- then you have the preamp providing the voltage gain and the power amp turning it into current to drive the speakers.
Each unit does what it is best at then and gives the optimum sound. And noise levels are inaudible, even with high effeciency speakers.
This is what I've used for years, and is how I like to build systems- high gain preamps and low gain power amps.
Unfortunately, in the real world there are very few low gain/sensitivity power amps,so I've had to compromise the design of the preamps to limit the gain.
Over the last year Kevin and I have taken the design of the higher ended preamps even further up the scale- to a standard that I didn't think was even possible. I cant begin to describe how involving these preamps are. Even now after nearly 30 years of doing this, I still have to have my daily dose of sitting down and soaking up the pure enjoyment of listening to such a joyful sound.
But we've been doing this with preamps I couldn't sell!
Match these with a high gain power amp and the noise will come through-some who have heard them are quite prepared to put up with it to have the sound, but i haven't been prepared to sell them like that.
I 've been looking for a solution for years- how to get the magic sound of the high gain pres into a low gain version.
In August 2003 the solution came to me, and after a few months of fine tuning the concept, the all new Cortese/Sauvignon, Grange/Cabernet designs were finished and are now being built.
The web page will be updated soon with all the details.
Please note that this update does not relate to the Syrah/Chardonnay preamps- I'm very happy with the performance of these preamps and see no reason to change the configuration of them.

Cheers
Mick Maloney- SUPRATEK

Hi Guys
MickM here- as you know I dont think manufacturers should actively participate in these forums as it is too hard to stay unbiased, and I believe the quality of the product should do all the talking from the manufacturers side.
However, the ongoing issue of noise and microphonics needs to be addressed as there seems to be a basic misunderstanding of it.
It's all related to the TOTAL gain of the preamp/power amp system.
All amplifiers, pre or power, have an inherant noise floor that in a compatible system is inaudible.
The Syrah or Chardonnay , with their gain switches set to max are very high gain preamps. Used with a low gain, or low sensitivity power amp the noise floor remains inaudible, but if you connect a high gain power amp, then the gain of the preamp and the gain of the power amp gets multiplied together and the inherant noise floor, which is hum, hiss and microphonics, also becomes amplified and becomes audible.
Bryan W has noted that his Cortese is very quiet without a sign of microphonics- this is simply because the Cortese has lower gain than a Syrah or Chardonnay with gain set to max.
But if you use the gain switches on the Syrah or Chardonnay, it is possible to adjust gain to approx the same level of the Cortese and eliminate noise and microphonics.
Unfortunately there are some power amps around these days which have ridiculous anounts of gain- they are designed to be used direct with a CD player (horrible sound!)and are more correctly called an integrated amp and aren't ideal for use with a preamp with any gain.
However, realizing that it's not a perfect world, I included the gain switches on the Syrah, Chardonnay to counter this.
With the combination of the two gain switches (top and back mounted) it is possible to remove any noise components from your system, and adjust the sonics to suit.
It does require a bit of patience, but it is possible to achieve your own "sweet spot" using the gain controls.
If you tap the side of the Syrah's 6SN7's with gain set to max, you will hear microphonics. Set the gain switches to "low" and a tap will result in no microphonics.
These refinements make the Syrah and the Chardonnay extremely versatile preamps able to drive any power amp, tube or SS.
Please note that the noise issue has nothing to do with impedance- that's more to do with the drive capabilities of the preamp, but all the Supratek pres have low output impedance and can drive anything.

I hope that makes it clearer - now I can disappear back to my work bench!
I have to say that I never thought this thread would last so long- unfortunately I dont have the time to check it often, but I'm alway's available at [email protected] to help when needed.
Thanks for all your support-I've made some great friends through Supratek and I hope your enjoyment and appreciation of the joy of music has been heightened by the use of my pres. Which is the sole reason for their existence- dont fret too much about hi-fi, just enjoy the music.

Best Regards to all.

MickM

PS
The tube compliment of the Syrah is 5842,6GK5,6N8P(6SN7),6L6GC and 5AR4.
The tube compliment of the Cortese is E180F (in this configuration just about the most linear tube available),E88CC(6922),6N8P(6SN7)6L6GC and 5AR4.
Regulator tubes can be either 6L6GC,5881,EL34 and KT66 on all models.(And the exotic WE350,7027- although too expensive to justify)
You can use any of these in the regulator position as it is self biasing, but not 6550 or KT88.

PPS- my favorite tweak is a new CD,vinyl.

Hi Everybody- sorry for the delay in getting back to you all-I didn't realize my post had stirred up some comment.
I dont actually get a chance to look at this forum very often ,and I hope that any owners of Supratek products have no hesitation in contacting me personally if they have an issue about anything- I take a great deal of pride in my service and always try to reply to personal emails asap, but cant follow the forums with my limited spare time.
However, should I have used the forum to announce new models? On reflection, maybe not- but I'm selling the new models now and I thought everyone had a right to know what the situation was- rather than hearing misinformation third or fourth hand.
As to possible upgrades-I've already done two and should have said that it was possible- again I presumed that any interested would contact me directly. Obviously I have to fit them in when I can, as I dont make any income on upgrades as they stop me building new preamps, but I will do it as soon as possible and at minimum cost to the owner- I dont think I can reasonably be asked to do more.
I can understand that some would get upset about new models, but it is a part of life that change happens. I only introduce new models when I think it has to be done to improve the sound and features of the preamps-with some reluctance as I can appreciate the feelings of people whose preamp has just been superseded.
But I had no choice- the new Cortese/Sauvignon, Grange/Cabernet are much better sounding and are very versatile- previously there were some power amps that they were simply not a good gain match with- now they will happily work with any power amp and bring the best out of them.
Please note that this issue does not apply to the Syrah and Chardonnay preamps- I'm very happy with them and have no plans to replace them at all. Incidentally, the Syrah and Chardonnay make up about 80% of Supratek production.
Please contact me direct at [email protected] if you would like any further feedback.
MickM

I'd like to commemt on a couple of topics raised in this forum recently.

As many of you know, I've invited two other persons to join me in ownership of Supratek. I decided to pursue the involvement of these gentlemen for the purpose of building better products and increasing supply of Supratek products.
However, I will still have the controlling interest in Supratek and assure everyone that there is no way that the quality of Supratek products will be compromised, or that a soulless "mass-production" system will be implemented.
I will still personally be involved in building, and will inspect and listen to every preamp or power amp that leaves the factory.
The two gentlemen joining me in Supratek are as enthusiastic about music reproduction as I am- we all love our music and place the satisfaction of building and listening to fine musical equipment above any profit line. It's rare these days, but money isn't everything.
We simply want to build better products that more people can enjoy, and have some fun doing it. Of course we need to make a profit, but good quality products and good service are the means to ensure that. That includes decreasing the delivery times, which I admit are too long.

Secondly,people have wondered why there have been secondhand Granges for sale recently.
I've been blessed with great customers since I started Supratek nearly 10 years ago (after a previous 20 years of tube audio design) Most of the Supratek guys are simply music lovers rather than audiophile or hi-fi freaks- they appreciate the musical qualities that the Supratek gear is designed for.
The Grange attracts a diferent clientle- there's still a bunch of owners with the same love of music , but they are also bought by well heeled audiophiles who can afford the not inconsiderable cost (they take a LOT of work to build) Some of these guys are in search of the "best'" equipment and can afford to buy and sell a new piece of equipment every other month. It's a perilous course as there is no "best" - it's not an easy task to find the right synergy of equipment that suits each individual set of ears/taste, but good luck to those who can afford to find their Holy Grail this way.
I think that is the reason there has been a few Granges for sale recently.
And I suspect a few have been bought by audio companies to see what I'm up too.
It should also be appreciated that the Grange is an ultimate performance piece of equipment, and like all high performance machines it has to compromise a little on useability.
The DHT tubes used in the Grange result in high gain and some microphonics- something that has always bugged me, but the sheer transperancy and glorious midrange vividness are worth the price. The DHT tubes have a real "tube" character, but in the Grange circuit are still fast and exciting. It excells in liveliness.
BTW I'm prototyping a version that uses 6SN7-6AS7 tubes that address's the gain,microphonic issues.
The Cortese circuit uses 6SN7's in the line stage , without doubt the most balanced preamp tube. It does everything well and in the Supratek circuit is the answer for those who want a preamp that will bring the very best out of any component used with it. The Grange is a Lamborgini, the Cortese a Porsche.
And lets not forget the old Syrah/new Chenin preamp that really made the Supratek reputation- it's still easily the best value for money preamp available and now comes with 6688,6922 tubes in the phono, very similiar in concept to the Cortese phono stage that makes it even better value. Let's call this one a 427 Mustang.

I hope this resolves any issues - dont forget I'm always available at [email protected]

Cheers
MickM

Hi Guys.
yes it's true- I'm afraid I'm going to have to wind up Supratek, at least for now. It's gotten very hard to make a living with the Chinese competition and the exchange rate.
I would have to double the prices to get back to a reasonable return , and then you get into the market where it's all hype and opinion over good innovative circuitry , which has always been the strength and fun of Supratek.
I'll finish off the orders we have, and maybe my assistant might do a few Chardonnays in the future , but pleased be assured that i'll always be available to help with any warranty issues or questions.
It's been fun and a pleasure to deal with everyone, even the crazy besotted audiophiles with their mad "upgrades" .
Thanks to everyone for their support, especially Dan and Kevin ,truly wonderful generous people .
And to Tom who started this thread so long ago.
Who knows- maybe Supratek might come back , but it's a different world now than it was 10 years ago, and for now i have other obligations.
Look after yourselves, and your families.
Mick