All the Supratek preamps have high , greater then 20dB, gain.
There's a pretty simple reason for this, it simply sounds very much more dynamic and realistic than a low gain preamp.
The 6SN7 triode tube is a dual triode, it has two separate sections, independent of each other, except for the heater.
In the Supratek preamps the two sections are cascaded, the first section is the input, the second section is the output.
This results in more gain than a single section, although the total gain is reduced by a step down output transformer, and the circuit design.
I've never heard a single section with the dynamics and ease of a cadcaded design.
The high gain can be a nuisance with many of todays power amps, as they often have high gain themselves, a power amp should just convert gain into current , but too many power amps are designed more as integrated amps than dedicated power amps.
This is usually so they can be used directly with a CD player , and no preamp, just about the worst sound quality you can get.
So with a high gain power amp and a high gain power amp, there will be a lot of gain, with the volume control at 9 o'clock or less.
There may also be a problem with noise as with such high gain the noise floor will be amplified.
I still would rather put up with a bit of noise (which you wont hear when the music is playing anyway) than listen to the dull and boring sound of a low gain preamp.
Obviously the best way is with a high gain preamp and a power amp with reasonable gain structure, avoid those high gain power amps, which are just integrated amps anyway!
Recent models of the Cortese preamp have a gain control to fine tune the gain if necessary. It is switchable and can be completely switched out of circuit , but handy if you do need to use a high gain power amp.
