Preamp: Mcintosh vs Modwright?

Hey Machman,

That seems to echo what I have heard about the Mod and may explain why you often see listings for used ones here.
I am guessing from guys who thought that they were going to
get more of a syrupy tube sound?
As a matter of fact, I got my CD-Pre from Wally a couple of
years ago, very good guy.

The current issue of The Inner Ear just reviewed the SWL 9.0 (non-tube PS) and they thought in worked very well with the new 28B that they also reviewed.

With that said, it usually means more to hear what a real world user thinks.

Thanks, much appreciated.

Thanks Mrtennis,

That jives with what I have read.
From what I understand, the new optional tubed power supply adds a little more tube sound to the unit.
Was the one you listened to equipped with the standard ss supply?
Did you get a chance to compare the c 220 to the c2200?

Thanks

Hey Jam,

I take it that you have the new SWLP 9.0SE in your system now?
A side from the phono section, it sounds like you like the addition of the tube PS in your new unit?
What amplifier are you using in your system?

Ya, I really like Dan's approach and he is very accessible. He has already answered a few questions that I emailed him on and his responses have been very prompt and clear.

A few weeks ago there were several nice sounding ads, but not much right now. What price did you end up selling your SWL for?

I am guessing next month when the new LS 36.5 is released there may be a few more SWLs for sale with guys wanting to upgrade... or does nobody upgrade in this hobby.

Thanks

From your description, I think the SWL with the tube supply is just what I am after, providing I get a simular result with my Bryston.
Machman seems to have gotten that with his 3B.

I just emailed the one and only SWL seller to get a little more info on his unit.
His ad mentions that he had Dan add a set of balanced outputs and he is asking more than you did.
Have you seen that ad, what do you think?

His has been for sale for 17 days with over a 1000 views... hmm.
Maybe it is an old/early model, serial# 005515SE and he is getting less interest?

MrT,

I think you are right in that the tube power supply does not transform the SWL into and older Conrad Johnson but from what I have read it should lean to "slightly" warmer sound with a little more weight and impact.
The Mac does offer a lot more bonus features like the tone controls but I wonder if I would be paying a premium for features that I would not use, most notably the phono section.
I have noticed a C220 listed here and it is located only 90 minutes away, I think he is asking $2499.

Jam,

I asked Dan about this particular unit and he said it in fact it has an extra set of single ended outputs added, wire to XLR plugs. definitely not a true balance output.
The seller also got back to me and he said that he purchased it about 10 months ago and recently had Dan add the "balanced output".
He has a sale pending, the buyer is suppose to be sending him a cheque and is expecting it to show up in the first of the week.

Colopilot, you sound like a very happy customer.
I am excited to hear what both you and Jamnperry have had to say.

As far as you guys know, are the SWLP and SWL Signature exactly the same except for the phono section and the separate box for the power supply?
Conversely, would a SWL with the tube rectified PS update be exactly the same as the Signature.

Thanks

Jam / Pilot

I have responded to this new ad:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1179248218

It reads excactly like what I was hoping to come up with, a "Signature Edition".

But after doing a little digging I discover (based on running the S/N by Dan) that in fact it has a built date from 2 years ago and is one of the first 50 "Special Editions" made.
I don't think the seller was aware of this until I told him.

I then spoke to the dealer that sold the unit to my Agon seller and he tells me that it was sold as new a few months ago and that he has had it for about 8 months previous to that.
He said that Dan sold it to him (aprox. 10 months ago) as one of the 1st SWL's that he fitted the tube rectified PS with. The dealer mentioned tha it was played as a demo in the store, with a lot of people inquiring if Dan was going to offer this PS version as a production model. As they say, "the rest is history".

I was already to jump on this one based on the ad but, to me, the unit really isn't how I originally interperated the sellers ad.

What do you guys think?

Being what is basically a prototype power supply makes me wonder how much Dan improved upon it before he was satisfied enough to offer this as a production model.
It's not like Dan never does any tweaking to get to where he is going.

I think the ad was a little misleading, although I don't think the seller did so on purpose.

I just heard from the seller and he has excepted an offer so it looks like I will be moving on.
The search goes on.