Hi David, the battery change didn't work.
I am leaving tomorrow and will bring the Syrah to a good tech mid January...
Thanks and best,
frankiealverti |
Hi everybody,
would you please advise on the Supratek Chenin? I own Quad ESL-57's (w/PK treble panels) driven by a refurbed Radford STA-25 MkIII (great combination imo). I (have to) listen nearfield. My current pre is a Precision Fidelity C-7a sp (w/step-up trannies for MC) and my cart is a ZYX Fuji silver (0.2 mV). I do like this set-up, but I have read so many good things about the Chenin and now I could get it used. Would you recommend the Chenin for my system? Some people indicate it is a bit forward sounding. While I slightly prefer relaxed and a bit laid-back to forward sound, wouldn't the Chenin's sound complement the laid-back character of the 57's?
Another question: through my current set-up each LP sounds very different, i.e. it is a relatively "neutral" system and I like that very much. Could it be that the Chenin has a too strong personality which would make LP's sound less different and so the system less "neutral"? I would appreciate fast responses very much.
Regards,
frankiealverti |
Hi Slowhand,
thanks for the reply. Just one more question. I can see two small switches on the Chenin main chassis (front left and right). What are they good for?
Best,
frankiealverti |
Richmon,
thanks. Seeing them in the picture I just couldn't figure out what they were for.
Best,
frankiealverti |
My used Chenin arrived yesterday and after settling in, it sounds really great, really more like musical instruments and less like electronics than any other preamp I have heard. Ah, those timbres! And those flowing dynamics, more like the real thing than the razor-edged, "I-am-your-amp-here-I-am" dynamics you find elsewhere... I would like to stress that Mick Maloney is a class act. This guy has provided and keeps providing extraordinary service and help with a few issues (tubes) I have. And mind you, I bought my Chenin used and not directly from him. I really wish the high-end industry was full of persons like Mick Maloney. Then our fine hobby would be more widespread, I dare to believe. Now I understand the cult following that Supratek enjoys.
Best,
frankiealverti |
Hi, is the 6F6GT as adequate and as good as the 6F6G for the Syrah? I was offered a pair of plastic based, straight-glassed Sylvania 6f6GTs. Thanks and happy holidays.
Frankiealverti |
Houstonreef,
you have to read the thread or at least large parts of it. I made it in six days... There are some marvellous recommendations on tubes from really experienced people.
One thing I remember is many were excited at the sound of the Electro Harmonix 6SN7 tubes. A couple or three have also recommended the Sovtek KT-66.
Enjoy your Syrah and good luck,
frankiealverti |
Hello Ecclectique, thanks for sharing your vast experience and knowledge. During the last week I have read and saved many of your postings in this fine thread! Would you please let me know (according to your experience) if the plastic based, round plate Sylvania 6F6GTs will perform and sound as good as a good pair of NOS 6F6Gs on the Syrah?
Thanks so much and happy holidays,
frankiealverti |
Hi Ecclectique, thank you so much for your comprehensive reply.
My used Syrah came with a pair of matched metal based 7029's ("made in U.S.A.", the reputed dealer here in Germany wipes out the branding and re-brands them with his own name), but Mick wrote me they could be inadequate for the Syrah, because they are not exactly equivalent with the 5881/6L6. That is why I am considering 6F6's.
Otoh a pair of Heathkit W-5M's I used to drive my original Quads with, prior to getting the Radford STA-25, sounds best with 7027's!
Ecclectique, speaking about rectifiers, could you please let me know something else? With the Syrah when I play my LPs using my ZYX Fuji (not with FM or CD; sounds great) there are funny noises coming out of one channel after ten to twenty minutes, sometimes earlier. The noises sound like tearing paper or like the noise between channels in a radio or sometimes like a muffled heartbeat!
My Syrah came with a brown based Mullard GZ-37 rectifier, which Mick says should be OK for the Syrah if in very good shape. I have changed the 5842 and 6GK5 phono tubes and the 7029's but the problem persists.
Once you wrote that phono play could be affected if the rectifier is not 100%, except if it is a GZ-34 which could be less with no problems. Do you think that getting a GZ-34 would solve this problem (apart from sounding better)?
Thank you so much. Best,
frankiealverti |
Hello ecclectique,
I am so fascinated by your kindness, experience and knowledge that I have waited until this hour (02.14 over here) for your reply. THANKS!
YES, you are right, I meant the 7027A. My RCAs and Westinghouses did a great job in my Heathkits. I also have a pair of new Sovtek 5881s. They do sound much inferior to the metal base 7027A's in the Syrah, but maybe it is just because they still are brand new. Anyway, I will try my burnt-in RCA 7027A's in the Syrah (I hope Mick isn't reading this ;-))
The tube seller is the most reputed and most expensive in Germany, thank god the previous owner paid him for these tubes, not me. If you would like to know who he is, just out of curiosity, you can email me privately and I will gladly give you his site address. This practice of wiping the branding off is very old, he has been doing it for many years. He then writes his name and the tube type in different colours depending on the quality of the tube according to his measuring, testing, matching etc.
A huge thanks for the rectifier tip, a Hytron GZ-34 is on its way here and hope it will reach me before Xmas. I know I need the metal base GZ-34, but before I spend what is big money for me for the metal base Mullard or Philips, I thought I should try the Hytron, see if the problem vanishes. No, I did not and cannot measure the Mullard GZ-37, I really hope that the rectifier tube is the problem.
Thanks for your kind words on my system, your systems are truly extraordinary (I have heard the TW once in a show twelve or more years ago, WOW!). My Quads have PK (absolutely great guy) treble panels, new EHT blocks and protection clamps. New PK bass panels maybe next fall. The Radford STA-25 MkIII is a really good match, indeed. Before the Syrah I used a (Bruce Moore designed) Precision Fidelity C-7a sp (with step-up trannies for MC inside). Not at all bad, not at all, but the Syrah is in a different league. Now if the problem could go before Xmas so that I can enjoy my LPs for more than a few minutes!
Many thanks and regards, ecclectique!
Best,
frankiealverti |
Stiltskin, thanks for your reply. With the Mullard brown base GZ-37 the other tubes light up in 9 to 11 seconds. With the Valvo (Mullard code) GZ-34 the other tubes light up almost immediately and that cannot be good for them. Am I wrong?
Additionally there is a soft one second thumb coming out of the power supply (not the Quads, since the amp is still off) every time I push the button and power the Syrah up with the GZ-34 in place. That is not a good thing, is it? So I think I will stick to the GZ-37 and buy a Bendix when I get back after Jan. 10th.
Best,
frankiealverti |
Fiddler, thanks for your perspective. It is very much appreciated. You have tried so many tubes on your Supratek. My Syrah has a pair of matched GE side getter 6SN7s. I may buy the EH for a spare and try them in January. Best,
frankiealverti |
Hello ecclectique, big disappointment. The GZ-34 did not solve the problem. On the contrary, with it in place of the Mullard GZ-37 the funny sounds began just a couple of minutes after begin of vinyl play... The GZ-34 is a Valvo with Mullard codes, not a Hytron. The seller wrote it measures good on his Funke tube tester. Any idea what else it could be? Thanks.
Regards,
frankiealverti |
Hi ecclectique,
thanks. I just saw one battery inside. I know there are quite a few different Syrahs, but, do you think that is normal?
Best,
frankiealverti |
Yes, merry Xmas everybody and another big thanks to Mick Maloney for bringing Supratek to us and to slowhand for starting this highly informative thread.
frankiealverti |
Do all GZ-34 rectifiers speed up the turning on process on the Syrah so much? I wouldn't think that is so good for the tubes. Do Mullard and Philips Miniwatt metal bases do this, too?
Regards,
frankiealverti |
