2. amps-preamps
  3. 184488-38070

WhestTHREE signature phono pre vs. ModWright PH 9.0X

I've mostly got my phono preamp upgrade down to a shortlist shootout choice between the WhestTHREE and the ModWright PH 9.0X. They're pretty much at the same price point (the MW is ~$300 more than the whest, give or take). 

What I listen to mostly: Jazz & Jazz Fusion primarily (I do have things from many other genres, but want to tune my system to Jazz since that's 95% of my listening on vinyl).

What I like: wide soundstage, incredible mid-range, detail, some warmth

What I don't like: clinical! 

--

There are a lot of passionate Whest owners out there all over forums raving about them, but I've also seen people mention that they can be a little on the clinical side. 

The modwright has less hands-on info out there that I could find, but the few things I could find review it very highly. 

If owners of either could comment on their experience and some objective pros / cons of either, it would be helpful! 

--

I did have someone recommend the Gold note PH10 to me some time ago, and while it is at a lower price point, I've seen a lot of mixed reviews. 

128x128mmcgill829

Showing 2 responses by davehg

davehg
85 posts
 

Super helpful thread, I followed suit in upgrading the Manley Chinook SE to the ModWright Ph9.0XT. I love me a good tube rectified PS and had a stash of NOS 5AU4 and 274b tubes to swap. I think for the extra $500 cost, the tube rectified PS option is a no brained upgrade.

I’ve upgraded the 6922 tubes to NOS Tungsram. 
 

All the same superlatives as other posts, but noting how much quieter the MW is over my Manley which felt downright noisy in comparison, 

I am thrilled with the ModWright. And a lot of folks seem to run the Hana Unami so I may have to look at that option too.

 

davehg
85 posts
 

@mmcgill829 I upgraded from the SL to the Unami Blue and quite enjoy that combo.

In the last few months, I’ve gone big on my vinyl in both systems. The Blue was a big step up from the SL when using the MW’s MC stage.

In the main system, I added a Kuzma Stabi R and 4PT11 arm with the Blue. I moved my VPI with the SL to the second system (Leben) and added the Leben RS30EQ stage with a Cinemag 1254 SUT. I compared that phono setup with the ModWright using the Hana SL.

The MW won out via its MC stage, but the Leben effectively tied with the MW when using the MM stage combined with the SUT on both. I have not done a comparison in my main system of the MW vs Leben/SUT using the Unami.

In my comparison, the MW was quieter than the Leben/SUT combo. And the Unami Blue was quieter than the SL. Lastly, the Kuzma was immensely quieter than the VPI.

I’m thrilled with the MW as it has kept up with my upgrades of cartridge and table.

Lastly, my interconnects are all Acoustic Zen: Absolute Copper in my main setup and Silver Reference in my Leben setup.

More to discover