SET Asylum: REVIEW: Supratek Triode Merlot Amplifier (Tube) by Basstwo

Model:	Merlot
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$3500
Description:	An 18 watt single ended amp using 6SN7 input tubes driving a 300B driving a 6C33C-B output valve .This amp also uses a seperate 6C33C-B regulator stage for the power supply
Manufacturer URL:	Supratek Triode
Manufacturer URL:	Supratek Triode

Review by Basstwo on December 09, 2001 at 23:47:45
IP Address: 202.85.109.11

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for the Merlot

I 've being wanting to write a review on Mick Maloney's amps for a long time now. However, every time I thought I had a handle on what the amps were doing in my system, something in my system (a piece of equipment or a different tube) would be changed or upgraded and the sound would change (sometimes improving) also.
What's prompted me to finally put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard to be more precise)? Well, I think I have just caught a glimpse of audio nirvana in my room.
When I first received by Merlot (actually a prototype of the Merlot), I was very happy with the emotion of the music being played that it was able to convey. The music had an integrity to it that lets you view the "window" as a whole and the "scenes" this sonic picture (as a whole) provided are often glorious. Much like to watching the sunrise over a small grassy hill. There are of course, exceptions and this depended a lot on the music being played.
Given this encouragement, I purchased the Supratek Syrah from Mick who was adamant that this would really make my system come to life. I had wondered if things could actually that mmuch more. Anyway, I trusted Mick (Heck I had ordered the prototype Merlots before they were born) and soon enough, the Syrah replaced my MF Nuvistor preamp.
Aside a bit of AC hum which took me while to get rid of, the Syrah operated perfectly and add a lot more colour to the all of the CD's I was accustomed to listening to in my system whenever I wanted to audition new equipment (Cheskys, RRs, some Naxos, XRCDs, etc). That's it, I thought. I've reached the top of the hill. No other system I've heard (incl friends, HiFi shops) gave me such joy in the listening. Sure, some had a lot of bass, some can play much louder but none conveyed the emotional side as well as these babies.
Very recently and after reading a number of threads on suggestions for upgrading 6SN7s and 5881 tubes, I went down to a local store and picked up the the following:
SCITE (Italian), 6SN7s
Tung-sol 5881s
Tung-sol 6SN7WGT
Mullard GZ32
The Tung-sol 6SN7 WGT went into the Merlots. The rest replaced equivalent tubes in the Syrah. You can probably guess what I am about to say next but WOW, what happended was nothing short of AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING.
Not only was the emotional level enhanced, but the level of transparency, and in particular, soundstage depth and detail improved tremendously to an extent I would just not have believed to be possible. The decay of a musical note lingered on for much, much longer than I had been used to. Thinking that it was just me reacting psychologically to a change in the system, I had a number of my friends over for dinner one night and was playing some simple and familiar Jazz CDs when they arrived. Most of them were not audiophiles. The first guy to arrive, reacted within 5 minutes asking what CD I was playing and where he could find one. Another couple walked in and reacted the same way as soon they heard the music. Another guy (this time an audiophile) who has heard my system before, looked all over to see what had changed. His precise statement was "the atmosphere your system is generating is absolutely wonderful, these are much better CDs than I thought they were when I heard them before".
What more can you say? Is it the amps or the tubes? Obviously the combination. But I've heard many, many tube amps before and I've heard similar tubes in other amps and systems. These amps from Mick must be doing something right.
Are these accurate amps? This depends on how you measure accuracy but probably not in most people's dictionary. Does it matter when you can reproduce music in your living room that is so full of vibrant audio colours that excites and surprises you in ways you would not expect.
The next question has been asked many times before. Can it get much better than this? Who knows but stay tune.

Product Weakness: My electricity bill is likely to see a hike because I'll be listening that much more often just for the thrill.
Product Strengths: Should I say more?

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Supratek Merlot (prototype)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Supratek Syrah
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Proceed CDP (transport), Perpetual Tech P1-A, MSB Goldlink Dac
Speakers:	Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage 88db/w/m
Cables/Interconnects:	Kimber KCAGs, Kimber 8AG, Illuminati D-60, Harmonic Tech Platinum Digital
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH):	15 x 20 x 10
Room Comments/Treatments:	Your average furniture, carpet, model
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS Audio Powerplant 300, NBS power cables
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition

Product Weakness:	My electricity bill is likely to see a hike because I'll be listening that much more often just for the thrill.
Product Strengths:	Should I say more?