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Will a Conrad Johnson fan like Modwright LS 36.5

I am looking to buy a tube preamp. I was pretty much set on the CJ 16LS or the 17LS2. There hasn't been one for sale in a few months which has caused me to consider other brands. This has brought me to the Modwright LS36.5 preamp. Reviews seem to indicate this to be a good preamp. I like what I've read. However one question which arises is concerning the sound stage. CJ has always been considered "polite" which in my understanding means the SS is pushed back somewhat with "tame" dynamics which come across as smooth rather than ragged or raw. That is the sound i like and I've found the CJ to be very enjoyable.
One thing I do not like is a very forward SS which is agressive with a ragged edge. I have not seen the Modwright described this way but I would like to hear from others who are familiar with the Modwright. Will the SS be a lot more forward than the CJ? Will a CJ fan also enjoy the Modwright?
artemus_5

Showing 1 response by lubes3

lubes3
35 posts
 
I sold my Modwright LS 36.5 because it didn't have enough gain or low-end power for my tastes. I will say Dan Wright was really great to deal with, as he modded the power supply to give me a stronger low-end, but not enough after hearing the CT-5. I was also disappointed inthe bass and dynamics. It was very musical and set up a decent sound stage. I replaced it with the CJ CT-5. This preamp is probably the best I've heard in my 305 years in this hobby. Plenty of gain, dynamics, resolution, frequency extension and power. It still has a bit of that CJ midrange magic, but nothing like my old CJ PV2A, which was a bit colored.

Artemus 5,

This will probably be my last preamp. I'm using it with a Spectron Premiere power amp, modded VPI HW19mkIV w/JMW 10 tonarm/Dyna Karat 17C3, newly acquired Whest PS.30r, modded McIntosh MVP-871 and PBN Montana EPS 2 speakers.
I've finally acheived a system synergy I never thought possible.

Sorry for the rant, but I would go for the CT-5 if you can swing it.
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