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?
I have had the ModWright 9.0SE for about 4 months now. I have ATC active speakers and the Densen Beat400XS.My cables are home made pure silver interconnects with Bybee filtration and Eichmann silver bullets. I have also been in the professional and audiophile industry for over 17 years, so really I have heard a lot of equipment. In my sound mind, I can honestly say that you will find it VERY difficult indeed to find a better pre-amp in the world for the asking new price
why cones/spikes instead of something like a vibrapod? i tried some aurios under mine, didn't hear much of a difference. stuck the aurios under my speakers, and that really tightened up the bass in a positive way.
thinking of maybe trying a different foot under the SWL, just curious why you guys chose the points...
My current system is a Sony 999ES CD/SACD player; NAD S100 pre; NAD S200 amp; and Gallo Ref3 speakers with Gallo SA on 2nd coil. Also using a REL Storm sub. Fantastic bass! However, with some material this system sounds a bit harsh and fatiguing. I am thinking of replacing the S100 for the SWL 9.0SE. Does anyone think this swap would improve the sound significantly? Does the SWL 9.0SE work well with high-current solid state amps? Or would it be better to keep my S100 and replace the amp? I don't have the money to do both! Thanks for your thoughts,
Hmmm, interesting. I was always in the camp that says valves should be left on 24/7 but I was told by Response Audio that leaving it on 24/7 would dramatically shorten valve life as the 5687s run very hot.
I usually have it running for 30 mins or so before I start using it.
I am wondering if all the SWL9.0SE owner keeping this preamp turned on all the time ? or only turn on before listening. What is the warm up time for maximum musicality ? Also, I am currently using the IRD Purist SS preamp and wondering if there would be a big gain in sonic qty for upgrading to it ? Many thanks..
Sure Grant, you asked for tubes that are tonally warmer than the T-Sols, so here they are, imho, of course.
I have the T-Sol 5687s, and they are very good tubes, but they are bit too edgy and SS-like for my tastes, and I always find myself rolling them out.
The GE JAN 7044s have most of the qualities of the T-Sols, with the addition of a truly wonderful midrange, less graininess. These are very cheap (~$20/pr.) and some consider them the poor man's Bendix 6900s.
The Sylvania GB65687s work very well in the Modwright preamp. They are "tubier" sounding than the T-Sols or the 7044s, and have that nice tube bloom, but I wouldn't call them overly euphonic either. Again, midrange on these is warmer and more to my liking than the T-Sols. There may be a slight (and I mean slight) sacrifice at the bass extreme (tubier bass, perhaps) but to me it is worth it.
Hope this helps...ultimately your preferences and system will dictate what sounds best to you, but both tubes above are worth a listen. The nice thing about the 5687 family of tubes is that they are really good sounding tubes, and relatively cheap in the NOS world (well, except for the 6900s).
Anyways, I'm using Sylvania Gold Brand 5687s right now, and GE JAN 7044s work very well too. I already have 7044s on my Modwright 9000es, and found that the 7044s on both was WAY too much of a good thing.
Phono Preamp is on the list for 2006. I have started work on a design that is intended to integrate well with the 9.0SE as well as other linestage/preamp designs.
Please do check back with us if you are in the market.
There's no way that I will spend the time to read all the responses on a preamp that I will not be getting(I need a phono stage.), but I do know that Srajan reviewed this preamp, and took into consideration price. Within this context(and what that allows you to spend elsewhere in your system), I believe, it was a rave review.
Not from the midwest but have traveled through there quite a bit. Been to East Troy, Milwaukee and Eau Claire in WI. Always had a brat when I passed through, summertime or not. Great stuff, but my allegience to cheese is strictly CA where I live now.
I am from Wisconsin--the Cheese Capitol of the World or we used to be (maybe CA has passed us up). Anyway, yes we do love our cheese in this state as well as our brandy!
Thanks Guys, you have certainly confirmed my instincts. I WILL keep the 9.0SE the way it is and build a future product with the rest of the bells and whistles.
I do reserve the right to make subtle circuit changes and improvements to the 9.0SE as time goes on, but nothing will be done to alter the spirit of the 9.0SE.
This does not mean that I will not finish the phono stage design. I do plan to finish it in early '06 and it will be made available both as a built-in upgrade to the 9.0SE and as a standalone product. What I will NOT do however, is make it part of the standard 9.0SE and raise the price.
This is an excellent thread with savy people whom I believe to be music lovers first and (audiophiles second or not at all). However, you absolutely must appreciate what Dan has created aesthetically, technically and musically.
I don't think I need to chime in here regarding what TVAD has said and recommended as it is right on the mark in my view as well!
RE: My unit (pun intended). The only thing I don't have on the unit is the Bybee cigars which may come at a later date. However, it would be very hard to part with my 9.0SE even for the few short weeks it would take to perform the upgrade.
Enjoy the music friends and Dan W., please keep your audio and music values and continue to transform them into the musical products that you have already started.
Dan, Take your time and grow slowly. Let the marketplace find you. At present you have only just begun to be noticed. If you are building for the masses, you must give the masses time to find you. Only the unusually sharp and alert clientele has approached you at this point. Great as the SWL 9.0SE may be, it remains an unknown to 99% of those who might eventually buy one. Several companies did very well producing a tubed pre-amp and nothing else for years with infrequent, and some might say, insignificant reiterations. CAT and AI spring immediately to mind. You can't please everyone and it is a fool's errand, indeed, to alter your course with such a goal in mind. We love you the way you are. Those who want different features can buy a different product rather than forcing you to change yours. Artists must remain comfortable with their art. So when you build mine put a navy blue faceplate on it with chrome knobs and extra cheese.
as you stated, "The SWL 9.0SE was meant to be a high-quality, high-value product that brought Class 'A' performance to the audiophile at a real-world price. It is not inexpensive, nor could we build it cheaply and have it perform at the level that it does. But, at $2200, it was meant to compete with other products that are 2x - 3x plus its price. I don't want to lose sight of this with upgrades that will necessarily add to the overall cost of the 9.0SE." IMHO the SWL 9.0SE meets all those goals and are the primarly reasons that i purchased the unit. further, i think your last sentence nails it with respect to an appropriate market strategy with this particular product.
this is my first foray into the "higher" end, separates arena. the SWL 9.0SE will serve as the "heart" of my system for the foreseeable future and any upgrade activities i may engage in will involve the other components because i think the pre is good enough to withstand upgrading the other system components within the contrainsts of my current means.
i do not consider myself to be an audiophile and only need a linestage as i do not have the time or inclination required to do vinyl correctly. i love music and the SWL 9.0SE does it right for me. i think there are many others that fall into this category.
on the other hand, i understand the assault on the high end and the actualization of the potential given what you've already realized with your current products. to that extent, i think TVAD's response is well reasoned.
i want to thank you again for taking such good care of me in September.
First of all, thank you all for the support and kind words. I am very pleased with the success of our first product - that is actually built by us from the ground up.
I am also pleased to hear that our attention to customer service is acknowledged and appreciated. I can't be all things to all customers, but I simply try to be honest with everyone and treat all of our customers with the same level of respect and service that they deserve.
To answer the question about balanced design options:
The SWL 9.0SE is a single-ended design, i.e. not balanced (not differential). The only way to truly add balanced outputs or inputs to the design (aside from simply adding XLR jacks, wired SE as some mfrs. have done) is to use high-quality line-level transformers.
I have successfully done this on the output of the design, converting the output signal from single-ended to differential (balanced). This has been done as a custom upgrade for a few customers.
I feel the result has been very good, but the high-quality transformers are expensive. The sonic benefits include even better impedance matching between amp and preamp and the ability to run LONG cables due to noise-cancellation and shielding benefits of balanced operation. Additionally, the output transformers that we use also reduce the output level (less overall gain) AND a corresponding reduction in preamp self noise, which is already extremely quiet.
I have considered offering a balanced output option for the 9.0SE. A balanced input is not available now and may not ever be. I am also working on a phono preamp that will be available, built into the SWL 9.0SE, or as a standalone phono preamp. The built-in option for the 9.0SE will include moving the power supply outboard. The advantages to offering an external power supply would include more space inside the unit (phono upgrade, possible future DAC board upgrade), and greater flexibility with an external PS enclosure to build a more sophisticated power supply. The improved supply would benefit the phono stage and linestage equally.
I am also considering building a higher-end unit that would be balanced throughout and feature an outboard power supply.
I am, to be perfectly honest, in a bit of a quandry here:
1) I want to offer options to suit different customers needs and desires. I also want to offer an attractive upgrade path to SWL 9.0SE customers and would of course prefer that they upgrade with ModWright Instruments products.
2) I am leary of alienating our customers, with a series of revisions and upgrades, resulting in the 9.0SE MK I Rev. II, etc.
3) I also want to be able to keep up with production of the standard 9.0SE and maintain a solid level of quality and efficiency in our manufacturing.
I would appreciate your comments and specifically, to answer the question of whether you as ModWright Instruments customers and potential customers want to see upgrade options such as those mentioned above, for the 9.0SE. Or, would you prefer to simply see another product to follow - necessarily at a higher price-point - that features those options.
The SWL 9.0SE was meant to be a high-quality, high-value product that brought Class 'A' performance to the audiophile at a real-world price. It is not inexpensive, nor could we build it cheaply and have it perform at the level that it does. But, at $2200, it was meant to compete with other products that are 2x - 3x plus its price. I don't want to lose sight of this with upgrades that will necessarily add to the overall cost of the 9.0SE.
Thanks and I do welcome your feedback.
Dan Wright President, ModWright Instruments Inc. 360-247-6688
My experience with Dan ,He is just a world class person. I listen to his preamp on 711 house,its very very good.One thing, I admire on Dans product,is they are really musical.Merry Christmas Dan and to all.
Hello all, Can Dan build the Modwright SWL 9.0 preamp with BALANCED XLR and single-ended outputs? My JC-1 monos sound quite a bit better using the balanced inputs. If so, how much $$$ extra are the balanced outputs? Does Dan offer any other upgrades as well? If so, what are they and how much $$$? Thanks guys.
I recently received my Modwright SWL 9.0SE with bybee filters and Tung Sol tubes in my first foray into the world of tubes.
Dan Wright made the experience a very enjoyable one, offering suggestions and contacts with experiences in systems similar to mine especially with a McCormack DNA 500. There was no pressure to buy his preamp, he always answered the phone on first ring, responded to emails quick and personally. Like a personal tailor, he will listen, offer suggestions and build your preamp to your exact specifications. His vast knowledge at your disposal.
Dan is a master craftsman. The Modwright SWL 9.0SE is a precision crafted and superbly engineered piece of audio gear. The face plate alone is simply gorgeous to look at and simply screams PRECISION CRAFTMANSHIP.
How does it sound? The highs are airy without being hard and with just the right amount of decay. The bass lines? solidly defined and taut. Not boomy. Midrange? You need to experience it!
This is a high resolution/high definition sounding preamp and simply a high value product at its price point. With HT By-Pass folks and a remote!
If you are interested in a preamp, regardless of price, solid state or tube, I highly, repeat highly, recommend an audition or researching of the Modwright SWL 9.0SE preamp. Give Dan a call. He definitely is a joy to talk to on the phone. You don't have anything to lose by calling Dan.
I am a very very satisfied customer. Glad I made the call after reading the reviews on this preamp.
Three things pushed me over the edge to order this preamp yesterday. Srajan's review, the way Dan Wright conducts himself on the telephone and this thread. Thanks everybody. And Merry Christmas.
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!
I am using a Shunyata Research Anaconda Alpha power cord with excellent results. They are not cheap even used for around $1150, but the results are worth the price IMO.
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