Chenin

About the Chenin

The Supratek Chenin is an all-tube two-chassis preamplifier with a separate power-supply unit and an integrated moving-coil phono stage designed for low-output MC cartridges (typically around 0.1 mV to approximately 2.5 mV). It provides a 4-position cartridge loading selector with values of 47 kOhm, 1 kOhm, 100 Ohm, and 10 Ohm, allowing users to match a wide range of low-output MC cartridges. The preamp offers multiple single-ended RCA inputs (commonly one phono plus several line-level inputs such as CD and auxiliary inputs) and at least two RCA outputs; some units also include a home-theater bypass and, in certain production runs, a switchable balanced XLR output alongside the dual RCA outputs. The Chenin includes remote-controlled volume, which is unusual for tube preamplifiers in this category, and features multiple gain-control switches so its overall gain can be optimized for different power amplifiers and systems. Internally, the Chenin is hand-built using high-quality parts and custom output transformers, with a tube complement that typically includes rectifier and regulator tubes in the power-supply chassis and line-stage/phono-stage tubes such as 6SN7 and 6922 together with pentodes like E180F/6688. The sonic character reported by users and reviewers is a warm, harmonically rich presentation with strong imaging, wide and deep soundstage, excellent top-end clarity, and solid, controlled bass. The design focuses on reliability and ease of servicing, with point-to-point wiring and minimal use of printed circuit boards.