You said - "I know its an unfair test since the Modwright is much less expensive"...
Sorry I can't comment on a ARC, but will state I was using a $6500 linestage while auditioning a ModWright SWL 9.0 SE about 2 years ago.
At 100 hours of break-in on the ModWright, the other preamp was already listed on AGon. When the SWL had 200 hours on it, UPS was picking up my sold $6500 retail unit.
There's a LOT of Bang for the Musical Buck with the ModWright, so even though not as expensive as some competitors... there's no need to feel it's unfair to compare it to 3x+ higher units. As it can run in the same circle as with the other big price tag boys!
Sorry I can't comment on a ARC, but will state I was using a $6500 linestage while auditioning a ModWright SWL 9.0 SE about 2 years ago.
At 100 hours of break-in on the ModWright, the other preamp was already listed on AGon. When the SWL had 200 hours on it, UPS was picking up my sold $6500 retail unit.
There's a LOT of Bang for the Musical Buck with the ModWright, so even though not as expensive as some competitors... there's no need to feel it's unfair to compare it to 3x+ higher units. As it can run in the same circle as with the other big price tag boys!