2. amps-preamps
  3. 1016931418

Preamp Deal of the Century

If anyone is looking for a true "World Class" preamp at a very fair price..heed my advice. I just recieved a Supratek Syrah preamp that was hand built by Mick Maloney in Western Australia, and it is absolutely beautiful! This preamp is the best deal you will ever find. I would put it up against any preamp out there for both looks and sound. Price? $2500 for the Syrah (includes Killer Phono stage). Not into phono? Try the Chardonney line stage for $2100. Don't get me wrong, I am not associated with this company. I am just a very happy owner! This preamp is VERY dynamic, yet liquid. It conveys the sound of music better than any other preamp that I have ever heard! You can check out the Supratek website at www. cantech.net.au
slowhand

Showing 8 responses by tonnesen

tonnesen
137 posts
 
Any news on Mick's status - is he still overwhelmed with back orders and still doing all the work alone? I'm considering getting the Syrah, wondering if those of you who already purchased are still so overwhelmingly enthusiatic about Mick's work? (And Thanks, I've appreciated all the info in this thread!)

Also - I posted this question in the topic on ARC preamps but may get a better response here - any opinions on using an ARC LS8MkII with PH3 versus the Syrah?
tonnesen
137 posts
 
Any comments on which IC's work well (or poorly) with the Syrah or Cortese? Or is that determined by the TT or amps more than the preamp?
tonnesen
137 posts
 
Jeff,

here are a couple places for tubes:

http://www.upscaleaudio.com
http://www.thetubestore.com
http://www.vacuumtubes.com

I'm sure there are many more - Kevin at upscale audio is very helpful, I've also bought tubes from thetubestore.

Would like to hear about your preamp!
tonnesen
137 posts
 
Tubegroover, you dog, you beat me to it, I was planning to write post 500! I ordered a Syrah in December, and it just arrived, I have not plugged it in yet. One thing that is kind of cool - there is no writing or labels on the chrome finish. Mick points out that it would mar the artform, and that stock labeling is not practicle for custom designed equipment. (He does include a drawing that explain what the switches are, and which inputs are phono, cd etc.)

I've seen two used Syrahs on Audiogon, but they were not much below the original price, so new is probably the best option.
tonnesen
137 posts
 
North of the equator we call it Shiraz.... speaking of THE Syrah, I listened to mine for two days - as others noted it sounded awesome straight out of the box. Better base and highs and generally more musical than the ARC LS8II which it replaced. Set up was very easy, I plugged the rectifier tube into the power supply, connected the power line from the power supply to the preamp and was ready to go.

Unfortunately, we are getting a heat wave here in the southwest...so I'm hesitant to run my tubes amps and preamp in this heat (no AC). Guess I'll have to enjoy its good looks until the hot spell ends.
tonnesen
137 posts
 
I don't want to pick a fight, but here's another alternative - Mick could raise the prices by $500 so that he can hire a marketing person to announce new developments in a more "sensitive" way, and then another $500 increase so he can update the website more quickly.

IMO you're being WAY too hard on Mick...be patient and let the man practice his art. You already have a great preamp and if he offers to upgrade it when he has time that's icing on the cake.
tonnesen
137 posts
 
Sonics1 - I just had an email from Mick, he was traveling and said it might be a couple days before he could check email again. But I expect you will hear from him soon. It might also be worthwhile to contact PS Audio to see if others have had any problems when adjusting voltage. Good luck.
tonnesen
137 posts
 
Has anyone ever hear a hum emanating from the power supply after extended play time. Sounds like a transformer hum. Not a ground fault problem...nothing from the speakers, just from power supply.

I recently started getting a hum from my Syrah power supply, it is loudest when I first turn it on, and it becomes a little quieter after warm-up, so it might not be the same problem you are having. I haven't had time to look into it yet, thought I might try changing tubes. The hum goes away if the umbilical is not connected.
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