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Modwright SWL 9.0SE Pre ... your thoughts welcome

Hey, I have decided to dive into tubes ... well, you get my meaning. I was steered towards the Modwright SWL 9.0SE and so far have read some good things. I'm running a Levinson ML-27 for power and Paradigm S-4's for speakers. My transport is nothing special, Denon DVD-2200 but I am also looking at running a tubed DAC in hopes of bringing the system a little more alive. Right now the system seems a little flat ... not very exciting. Plenty of volume bass end it fantastic but the mid and upper end seem very packaged. Imaging is not very good ... High and mid frequencies don’t seem to blend well. Some CD's have fair to good sound but most seem pretty "plain". Just doesn’t have that delicacy I'm looking for. I seem to listen the SPEAKERS and not the music. I recently listened to an older set of Paradigms pushed by a small tubed integrated and I was amazed. The tubed gear really made the Paradigm speakers come to life ... I was set back in my chair. Vocals were clear and crisp … the sound was extremely detailed and I had to be drug out of the room. Since then I have really started to pick a part my system.

Cables are Signalcable Silver Resolution Balanced and Cobalt Ultimate speaker cables. I'm running Signal cable "Magic" power cables. Nothing fancy but it should do the job.

Is this upgrade going to help? Has anyone experienced this?

Any better preamps in the $1500-2000 range? What about Levinson SS preamps?

Help me out … Please
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Showing 4 responses by kehut

kehut's avatar
kehut
668 posts
 
I ordered a 9.0SE from Dan this week based on a good friends valued opinion of it, and many a stellar review. Cant wait to hear it. I do understand it needs some serious break-in time, but will be well rewarded with patience. It supposedly competes with the likes of the $12K VTL 7.5 and surpasses most anything in the $6-8K realm! Thats one serious component!
kehut's avatar
kehut
668 posts
 
Tvad,

Hi Grant...Indeed nice to know. I am awaiting my 9.0SE from Dan at Modwright, perhaps within a week or two hopefully. Having just upgraded to all Poiema!!! IC's from the orig. Poiema!, I have already had the pleasure to hear Roberts latest P3 sound Amazing even without a full break-in period. I have a brand new (more break-in.... Arrrrgg!).... Electraglide Epiphany PC ready to hook up to the 9.0SE.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts thus far on the SWL 9.0SE. The more I read, the more I cant wait to get this pre amp in house!...BTW..Did you get the upgraded late 50's NOS Tung Sol tubes?
kehut's avatar
kehut
668 posts
 
Hi Dan,

Great! Thanks very much for the heads-up. Looking forward indeed to the 9.0SE!!
kehut's avatar
kehut
668 posts
 
Let me add my thoughts as well. Having taken delivery of the 9.0SE and now having just under 150 hrs.on it. Cryo'd Tung Sols on board that replaced the JAN Philips 5687's.... I am AMAZED at what an excellent pre amp this is. My system has taken on new life and dynamics. The pre amp exudes quality in its appearance and build. Dans choice of parts including the expensive SoniCaps make the sound nothing short of superb. As more time is logged on the 9.0SE, it continues to bloom sonically...All I can say is..EXCELLENT!

I share in all the excitement of the other owners posted here who are delighted with their ModWright SWL 9.0SE. May I also say, that it is a true pleasure speaking and emailing Dan.This truly is a product to be excited about and a company that truly cares about the sound of its product and the relationship with its customers. Dan... Thank you, and Congratulations to you and your wonderful staff of talented professionals!
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