Experience with Modwright products?

I have Dan's 9.0 Phone Pre. & I agree with your comment on his personality, but I can't see the cost of the upgrade to his X model, as my system sounds steller to me already.

I currently use Dan's PH 9.0X phono pre and I owned the LS 100 preamp a few years ago. Dan has always been extremely helpful and easy to work with, including when the LS 100 had to go in for out of warranty service. Quality products from a quality guy.

I've had Modwright LS100 preamp and KWA100SE power amp in my main system for 8-9 years enjoy them both and have had no operating problems. I also have the Elysee DAC which is now in my 2nd system about the same time line. I had a minor issue with a bad solder point which Dan took care of. I'd purchase his equipment again.

Thank you everyone!  I really appreciate your views and time. 

I really wish I didn’t like this change so much!

Great sounding products but like with any other used components, resale sucks. I took a substantial loss when I sold the KWA150SE, LS36.5 and Elyse DAC. If you planning to keep them around for a while, don’t worry about resale, just enjoy. Dan is an awesome guy, he will always have your back. 

Great company. Owned a phono pre from them and it’s one of the best I’ve heard. Ph150.

I had the KWA150SE amp and, I also owned the Sony player with all the Modwright Truth modifications. Very nice and very musical sound. Dan or one of his reps were always just a phone call away for any questions or suggestions.  Really sounded great with my Totem Element Metal speakers. 

I had to fix my ModWright integrated twice. It came dead on arrival from the Music Room. I sent it back and got it fixed. It was a ribbon. They came loose and shipping. Four months later a fuse blew.

reliability is not perfect and they are getting pushed hard and it’s very musical but it’s not a reference system.

 Nothing but positive things to say. 

Dan is a prince of a guy and makes great stuff. I had a LS100 for a long time and was very happy with it.

My integrated is running strong. Build quality stellar and floor is double dead quiet.

Will add in to this virtual parade of quality things to say about Modwright and Dan as both the owner and chief spokesperson.  I currently own the LS100 preamp and the PH 9.0.  I have talked with Dan a good half dozen times in the past 2 years and he has also promptly answered emails.  Conversations from tube choices, to cables, etc.  He is one solid guy and his products are very musical by my standards.  

Let me add to the accolades. Dan is top-notch, his stuff is superb, and is absolutely worthy of comparison to anything else at a similar price-point or higher.

While I've only owned (and currently still own and love) the ModWright "Truth" Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD/SACD player, I've heard his other gear at numerous shows (AXPONA, Rocky Mountain) and it's always among my favorites.

If my budget allowed, I'd likely have more here...

I spoke to their receptionist once or twice inquiring about products and even she was super awesome. I didn't end up purchasing, but they just had that energy of a good company and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from. 

As a side note, being an Allnic phono user, I love this H-3000. I would keep it forever. But Allnic prices tend to crash used so I don't know if I could buy it new. 

Been using my kwi 200 for some years now.When first came to market i had to send it back.Dan reassured me "this things going to last the rest of your life".Since then it has been solid performer.Musical honest timber.Reliable piece of gear.

I went through pre buying/conversations with this amp with him that my bar is set high...as i was looking at Pass,sim 600,700 ect...Dans amp was quite a bit less $ and its been a wonderfull product and am still enjoying it as it is a great match with my atc's.It will be on short list next time around.He is fairly local so that was another consideration.

Thank you all for the feedback!  

I must say that I'm super impressed with these products.  I would love to buy them from my dealer friend--not sure I can afford them or want to spend this much. But taking them out of my system won't be easy.  

Very nice timbre (as was mentioned above) to the music. Organic and earthy while not being watercolored or bloated. 

I have the KWA 150 SE and a LS 100 tube preamp. Very natural sounding and tons of texture IMO. 

He did an Oppo UDP-205 Mod for me, great work and it also sounds great.

Another thing to look forward to, is when you call Kristen will answer the phone and help you out to whatever question or problem you have.

Just great people to deal with

I have experience with Modwright and Khristan who works at Modwright relative to two Modwright products -i.e. an Oppo 105D which was modded by Modwright and the relatively new Modwright analog bridge. In each instance my experience has been very positive both in terms of accessibility, willingness to help and competency in the information and advice given. Kristen is likely to answer the telephone and she is very pleasant and helpful. If she can't help with your inquiry Dan is not afraid to get on the phone and patiently discuss your situation with you. The products themselves appear to be of very good quality and worthy of any good system.

Dan will stand behind his products and will answer your email. 

Modwright sounds a lot like Manley when you need service or help. Just super. That’s music to my ears. 

Two thumbs up from me too

Just sold my KWA100SE to TMR a few days ago. Not because I didn't like it, only because I dread swapping it out with the tube amp each summer. It is a very nice,dead quiet, smooth, and powerful beast.Dan is real gentleman. I never needed service but have chatted with him about his hobbies - rescue dogs and he makes pottery.

I’ve owned a lot from Dan over the years. 

SWL 9.0 SE preamp (two of them)

SWP 9.0 SE phono

KWA 150 SE amps (two in mono)

LS 36.5 DM preamp

PH 9.0X phono

Modwright Transporter 

Modwright CXN V2

Modwright Analog Bridge

Modwright Ambrose A10 (only one ever made)

I even own some of his ceramics artworks.

Dan is an incredible engineer and a person of very high integrity. He is a major asset to this industry and our hobby, and I look forward to the great things he will continue to do.

I am now a dealer for some very high end brands, though Modwright is not one of them. I have no affiliation with Modwright outside of being a repeat customer.

A disaster. Guy is a charlatan.

Read my explanation of a simple transaction with him. He’s an abusive liar.

Case Link.

^^^^

From your link:

:Please send it back and I will listen to the unit. If I find that the unit is as we sent it out, and it is
simply a matter of you not liking the sound, no problem. I will then gladly replace it with a stock
unit.
So let’s proceed with that. I don't want you to be unhappy with your purchase. I am surprised at
your listening impressions, but I also acknowledge that we all prefer different things.”

 He offered to replace it. Whats wrong with that ?

Have both the KWI 200 and the 9.0 Phono, which has had two upgrades.  Both are great pieces of gear.  The KWI 200 is tubey without the faff of tubes.  I know, I've owned Cary amps before. The Modwright is as good sound wise and rock solid. I highly recommend Dan's products.

I owned a Logitech Transporter DAC and after many years replaced it with an OPPO Sonica DAC---both were purchased from and modded by Dan.  There wasn't a single problem with either of them and they were (and are) a joy to listen to.  Dan was extremely responsive in answering all my questions and delivered well-built and great sounding products.  

Dan’s a solid manufacturer and a helpful resource after purchase.  Very happy with my 5+ years of using his ModWright PH-150 Reference Phono preamplifier.  Great sound and zero issues of any kind. 

I think certainly from the perspective of a KAV 225i owner, I suspect his stuff is a bit  underrated.  This integrated for sure is wonderful – just takes control, wonderful, soundstage, clarity but musical, incredible timing and punch. I love integrateds which is a preference I can’t completely explain.  I’ve had some very good ones and still have a Aesthetix Mimas, which I have reviewed positively elsewhere and I think it’s a wonderful piece.  It has this ethereal componentto the highs where instruments float in the air in a way I’ve never heard before. However, with the Devore 0/93’s it just wasn’t a good match.  I am finding the Modwright very muscular, deep, fast, with a wide sound stage, and frankly just a beautiful sound.  I suspect I am sticking in the class A range solely with the Devores. I would suggest this is a true hifi piece with an incredible team behind it.

I have his Modwright Oppo 105 with the separate power supply. Still going great sounds so good.  

@jbhiller, did you have a chance to compare your Vince t7 with Modwright LS99 preamp? And if so, what is your impression?

@hasmarto- That’s a great question. Unfortunately no, I haven’t. I regrettably sold that unit. It was delightful.  

I owned the Modwright modded Oppo 205 player for about 5 years without any issues. Of course, it helped that the player itself is known for its reliability.

I had his OPPO SONICA DAC tube mod at one time. It was a huge improvement to the DAC in every way. Dan’s tech support and approach to customer service it first rate. I have no experience with his current lineup but based on my experience you couldn’t go wrong. 

I can only speak very highly of Modwright, Kristen and Dan. I had a modified Modwright Oppo 105 player and had some minor software issues and called in to Kristen and she spent over an hour with me on the phone helping to diagnois issue, download some software and install it and waited until I was up and running and listening again.

Would not hesitate to buy anything from them.

Very happy LS36.5 owner - prior a SWL 9.0 SE. Dan is a great guy who I have talked with a few times on the phone and exchanged several emails. Honest man; a liar… No.

I have a Modwright PH 9.0X that I just got back in May of this year. I love it. Checks all the boxes for me without being absurdly expensive. I'm sure the PH 150 top of the line model is probably even better, but I'm not quite at the $10,000 phono stage level of gear myself. 😅

The PH 9.0x is a winner for me though, and beat out others in the general price range that I tried in my system by a pretty wide margin.

Very solid construction and feels pretty high end, despite the more...accessible price point. Ability to experiment with various tube replacements, MC cart compatibility, etc.

I see myself keeping this one for a long time!

I'd love to hear the A30 monoblocks someday (I'm more of a fan of SET amps, myself). I do wish he made some lower power SET amps as well - like 45, 2a3, 300b, for example.

A disaster. Guy is a charlatan.

Read my explanation of a simple transaction with him. He’s an abusive liar.

Case Link.

Let me get this straight... you buy a player without ever listening it and have it sent directly to a company whose business is modifying players.  They modify said player.  You then send it to a competitor who does who knows what to it and tells you that it's "bad".  You contact Dan and he offers to send you a replacement for the stock unit that you sent to him.  And Dan is the charlatan?

^^^^^^

  and then he disappears....

Great chatter about Modwright.

Anyone have any experience with his newer product LS99. Looks like the whole package. Separate power supply, Balanced ins/outs(I don't believe they are single ended wiring)

Ticks all my boxes, but not a ton of reviews out there yet.

Cheers All

@bunkertoy , Yes, see the my OP above. I have had the LS99 and its matching KWA99 mono blocks.  

Highly recommended, UNLESS you have insensitive speakers or a big room.  These lit up my Cornwall IVs, but ran out of gas on an 87dB 4 ohm speaker.  

​​​​​​​

@jbhiller , Thanks for that insight, I’m running the newer Revival Atalante 3’s and they are listed at 87db 4ohms. You are talking about the mono blocks running out of gas I presume ? I’m more interested in the preamp.

Cheers

@bunkertoy , Yes. Ok. The preamp is very, very good.  

Pros - Holographic sound. DEAD silent.  Nice volume attenuator. Lots of XLR/blanced inputs and I believe there are Lundhaul transformers in there. I love the unit in so many ways. 

Cons - Hard to find any. I'd prefer a better remote. The remote works and is fine though. I would just like a nicer one at the price. A backlit source selector and volume would be nice so you could see where you are at from a distance in a dark room. 

No complaints.  Just wonderful organic sound

@jbhiller , Very much appreciated. It's very hard to find info about the sound of these units. Plenty of info about all the other Modwright  products.

Thanks again JB

Can you make it to AXPONA?  An Illinois-based dealer I love will be there and will have it on display for use. 

I'm in Canada, I'll have to wait for a Hifi show at little closer.

Cheers

Great to hear all the positive comments on Dan and Modwright. I have an LS 100 pre that I love. It has a little issue in the left channel and I am in conversation with them now to try and address. The pre is a 2014 model so it may be due for a check up anyway. I am looking hard at the PH 9.0 pre as well. Based on comments in this thread it sounds like the combo could be a good one. All the PH 9.0 reviews I have seen have been stellar.

FYI, called Dan and he guided me through the fix on the LS 100. Just a couple of adjustable resistors whose pots can get noisy. Immediate fix and they can be replaced if I wish.  Dan and Kristin are great to work with. PH 9.0 x is also      ordered and in their Q to be delivered in the next few weeks!!