Preamp Deal of the Century

Well it has been awhile since I've posted to this thread so it is probably time to chime in. I still have the same basic system that I had when I purchased the Supratek Syrah in 2003. To be honest, I never had the "urge" or inclination to upgrade in the line simply because I calculated the level of improvement would't add enough for me to pay the difference. I find the Syrah to this day a delight that has continued to provide enjoyment and keep step with my system. I've found other areas in greater need and focused on those, of the significant improvements with lesser outlay. Being an audiophile, in addition to improving my enjoyment of my system I also focus on cost effective improvements. I have used many of the regulator and output tubes with delight at how I can tailor the sound in the system with changes. Of course over time preferences sometimes change. In any event, it is a relatively inexpensive way to realize "changes" without the stress changing out components can bring. I may not speak for everyone with that last comment but I'm sure I speak for many of us. I've gone through periods of boredom with the system but have always found inexpensive (relatively, after all most of us are card carrying audiophiles afterall)changes that eventually renewed my enthusiasm without giving into the temptation to "throw the bums out". After all I wouldn't have lived with this system as long as I have unless there is something intrinsically right if not ever perfect.

The Supratek Syrah a full function preamp at 2.5K new with a superb phono stage realizing use of a low level MC cartridge has been a "Deal of the Decade" if not the Century, at least for me so Slowhand, (Tom) you nailed it for many of us, good call!

Sorlowski, enjoy your new Cortese and keep up posted. I always enjoy reading other's experiences with these great pre-amps from Mick.

Nice post Tubegroover, and good to see that Supratek is still making preamplifiers Sorlowski - they are very special.

Still using my Supratek Grange preamp after many years of faithful service and have no inclination to look elsewhere.

Regards,

Steve M.
My audio blog: http://stevem1960.blogspot.com/

Thanks Tubegroover. I too am still using my Supratek Cortese. It has given me many years of musical pleasure. I just returned from the RMAF in Denver, and I did not hear any preamp that I felt would make me want to give up my Cortese. Thanks Mick for making such a great preamp!

I too have the same Supratek Preamp, Chenin, since 2004!

I build my own amps and other preamps so it was so easy for me to tweak it but I cannot do it as I want to preserve its own "tone" that I have been accustomed to for so many years sinced I owned the unit.

I enjoyed, and still enjoying, my preamp to this date and I am still very pleased on how it sounds especially with my horn/SET based system. Much better sounding to me when I had SS or PP tube amps and conventional or active speakers.

Thanks guys for

I decided to upgrade my old Chenin to new Cortese, lets call it SE, have contacted Mick. He redesigned all his preamps in 2010 and claimed that new designs have even better transparency and music involvement. It was to be 4 months waiting period, so I have signed up. Unfortunately, for some reasons I have got Cortese SE after 10 long months and countless reminders, there was a time that I did not believe anymore that I will ever going to see it. To give justice to Mick at the end he has given me 10% discount to reimburse me for long and frustrating waiting. In that time I went from my CDP Audio Aero Capitole mkII directly to Claytons monoblocks (using Thiel 3.6), very transparent sound with big soundstage, great resolution, I only wished for more harmonics in the mids and more dynamics. But finally Cortese SE arrived After 2 weeks of burning time I have given it a try (with stock tubes): big bass, very flat soundstage, a lot of slam.
This is not what I was hoping for, I have given it 2 more weeks of burn in time, nothing changed. So I have exchanged stock Russian unnamed 6l6 tubes with EH cryoed 6l6 and some cheap unnamed Russian rectifier with black base Phillips Miniwatt gz34. Pretty serious change: much deeper soundstage, bass lost its exaggerated bloom, better transparency, but still no a transparency which I have got when I was going direct. I was less disappointed but still not thrilled. So when after 2 weeks of burning time and not much of a change I swapped Philips black base gz34 with cryoed Bendix 6106. O my .. this was not a change it was different preamp altogether.
Preamp from different league I must add. Finally sound was not dark anymore like with Philips it lost bass bloom completely and finally has opened up. Resolution was pornographic for the lack of better word, transparency simply spooky. Much better then going direct, I do not know how it is possible but it is the case. I remember Chenin sounding slightly better with Bendix then with Philips but difference was subtle, not anymore. New Cortese should be sold with Bendix, without it IMHO, it simple does not sing. I have borrowed from friend two runs of Tara Zero Gold and Omega speaker cable (to be sure that I’m not limiting it anyway), simply unbelievable resolution and transparency (actually I have heard better one only from Jadis). What is interesting with Chenin my cheap turntable Realistic Lab 420 with Empire 9 cartridge was much better sounding then my AA Cap. Now gap is closed, I do not really hear my entry level turntable sounding any better. CDP now sounds really alive, new line stage is really something, real world contender. To hit audiogazm I need more harmonics in the mids and more slam, more PRAT, but I have not changed driver tubes yet, still using stock Russian Tung-Sol provided by Mick.
I will keep you posted.
I still cannot neither believe nor understand how stupid rectifier can have such profound effect on sound, but with Cortese case it does.