Modwright SLW9.0 Signiture Preamp

venomclan

Just pulled the trigger on a Modwright SLW9.0SE Signiture preamp. I hate this hobby, it never lets me rest...
Venom

SCompRacer

Congrats! I'm a big Dan fan. You got the letters jumbled a bit in your post (SLW) but you got it right in your sig. I've had an SWLP 9.0 Signature since 2007, the P being his SWP phono stage built in. I've got his signature caps and am current with the tube rectified PS upgrades. I also have his modded Sony 9100ES with the Platinum Level Signature Truth Mods and tube PS.

Have you heard his SWL pre before? Some folks don't care for them as they lean more toward SS than a rich tubey sound. Very high current, very low distortion design. Overall, the pre is extremely quiet and neutral. Sonically you get a slight sweet tube warmth. His phono stage is top class, capable of competing with the best. I love the tonal accuracy, soundstaging and excellent dynamics it provides.

dorokusai

That's a very nice preamplifier.

reeltrouble1

Nice. Raising the bar a bit...getting your hi-fi on....a very worthy cause.

RT1

Jetmaker737

I have the Modwright and am very happy with it. Running Tung Sol and Mullard. Hope you enjoy your new addition.

Ern Dog

Glad you finally pulled the trigger. I know you've been wanting one for awhile. As you know already, I'm a big fan of that preamp and ScompRacer pretty much nailed the sonic description of it.

In case you're interested in tube rolling with it, I came across this for sale post which looks like a pretty good deal: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=97900.0

Enjoy your new toy- I bet it sounds great with your Gallos!

SCompRacer

Kewl! More ModWright types.

Due to the design of the tube, you may not get a big sonic variation rolling various brands. IMO, if you want the softest/warmest presentation go with Sylvania GB5687 (Gold Brand). They come in two variations, Gold and steel pins. Tube World has a pretty good rating/description of the 5687 tubes. https://www.tubeworld.com/5687.htm

If you want the most impressive, even scary detail, look at the pricey Bendix or MU 6900's. Its transconductance is about twice that of a 5687 tube. It is a cold war tube, rated for an altitude of 80,000 feet with a 500G impact and 50G vibrational acceleration rating. MU Engineering bought out the Bendix Redbank tube division. They continued to manufacture the 6900 tube on Bendix tooling and rebranded all the old Bendix stock. I got my MU6900's when they sold for 1/3 to 1/2 of what the Bendix went for. (At that time a pair of Bendix would run ~$600-$800). I've had both and couldn't tell a difference; I sold the pricey Bendix and kept the MU's.

In my pre I use 1950's 5687 Raytheon Kuhl-Tubes. In the ModWright Sony, Sylvania GB5687's. I have Mullard branded Holland made Black base 5AR4 Kuhl-Tube rectifiers in both power supplies. They are very similar to metal base but at a much lower cost. Plates are same as the version 2 of metal base type tube. Here is a great site showing the various 5AR4 rectifiers.

http://natubes.com/index.php?page=product&do=browse&catid=108

Ern Dog

Jeremy- How is your new preamp sounding with the rest of your gear?

venomclan

Thanks guys. I am looking forward to the Signiture and looking forward to not buying any more gear .

SCompRacer wrote: »

Congrats! I'm a big Dan fan. You got the letters jumbled a bit in your post (SLW) but you got it right in your sig. I've had an SWLP 9.0 Signature since 2007, the P being his SWP phono stage built in. I've got his signature caps and am current with the tube rectified PS upgrades. I also have his modded Sony 9100ES with the Platinum Level Signature Truth Mods and tube PS.

Have you heard his SWL pre before? Some folks don't care for them as they lean more toward SS than a rich tubey sound. Very high current, very low distortion design. Overall, the pre is extremely quiet and neutral. Sonically you get a slight sweet tube warmth. His phono stage is top class, capable of competing with the best. I love the tonal accuracy, soundstaging and excellent dynamics it provides.

Thanks for the info, glad to see another Dan fan. I currently have the stanard SWL9.0 pre and wanted to hear what the Sig. model can do. I remember reading a review of the 9.0's and Dan was quoted saying that he "made the Std. SWL9.0 to meet a price point, and the Sig. model as the pre he really wanted to make". I would love to own the 36.5, but it is out of my price range. I am cool with the lean toward solid state sound, as I runn a Butler tube hybrid amp that also infuses a bit of tube in the signal, so I am hoping they play nice together. I am new to the tube world, solis state sound never really bothered me as I like detail and bass.

Ern Dog wrote: »

Glad you finally pulled the trigger. I know you've been wanting one for awhile. As you know already, I'm a big fan of that preamp and ScompRacer pretty much nailed the sonic description of it.

In case you're interested in tube rolling with it, I came across this for sale post which looks like a pretty good deal: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=97900.0

Enjoy your new toy- I bet it sounds great with your Gallos!

Thanks for the link Ernie, That would be like a lifetime tube supply! I actually received multiple pairs of different tubes when I bought the std. SWL9.0
, and the Sig. model also has 3 pairs, so I think I am stocked for a while. There is only 1 Rectifier tube though, so I will have to see how long that one lasts.

SCompRacer wrote: »

Kewl! More ModWright types.
Due to the design of the tube, you may not get a big sonic variation rolling various brands. IMO, if you want the softest/warmest presentation go with Sylvania GB5687 (Gold Brand). They come in two variations, Gold and steel pins. Tube World has a pretty good rating/description of the 5687 tubes. https://www.tubeworld.com/5687.htm

If you want the most impressive, even scary detail, look at the pricey Bendix or MU 6900's. Its transconductance is about twice that of a 5687 tube. It is a cold war tube, rated for an altitude of 80,000 feet with a 500G impact and 50G vibrational acceleration rating. MU Engineering bought out the Bendix Redbank tube division. They continued to manufacture the 6900 tube on Bendix tooling and rebranded all the old Bendix stock. I got my MU6900's when they sold for 1/3 to 1/2 of what the Bendix went for. (At that time a pair of Bendix would run ~$600-$800). I've had both and couldn't tell a difference; I sold the pricey Bendix and kept the MU's.

In my pre I use 1950's 5687 Raytheon Kuhl-Tubes. In the ModWright Sony, Sylvania GB5687's. I have Mullard branded Holland made Black base 5AR4 Kuhl-Tube rectifiers in both power supplies. They are very similar to metal base but at a much lower cost. Plates are same as the version 2 of metal base type tube. Here is a great site showing the various 5AR4 rectifiers.

http://natubes.com/index.php?page=product&do=browse&catid=108

Thanks for the info Scomp. I will have to compile a list of the asst. tubesI will have when I get the Sig. to get an idea of their different flavors. I am not looking for too detailed as I think the Benchmark Dac I have will provide detail aplenty. What Modwright Sony do you have? The 5400?

Ern Dog wrote: »

Jeremy- How is your new preamp sounding with the rest of your gear?

I did not get it yet as it ships from Wa and I am in S. FL, totally opposite sides of the country. I am a glutten for punshment as my wife is 6 months pregnant and I am sure I will not be listening to 2 ch. for too much longer with a newborn in the house. Oh well, no mancave here .
Venom

dcmartinpc

This looks like a really nice pre!!! You guys always seem to find something that gets my wheels turning again

Don

Gaara

Venom, your system is more and more looking like my old one. Had a Jolida JD-100 -> Modwright SWL 9.0 SE -> PS Audio Trio -> Gallo Ref 3.1s. Of course that lasted 2 weeks, if that.

Make sure to use tube dampers, my Modwright benefited alot from some Herbies.

venomclan

Gaara wrote: »

Venom, your system is more and more looking like my old one. Had a Jolida JD-100 -> Modwright SWL 9.0 SE -> PS Audio Trio -> Gallo Ref 3.1s. Of course that lasted 2 weeks, if that.

Make sure to use tube dampers, my Modwright benefited alot from some Herbies.

Hey Gar, good to hear from you. Does not sound promising that it lasted only 2 weeks in your system. What did you not like about this combo?

I only use the PS Audio Trio as a surround amp with some Gallo Due's some jokester sold me . The review of the Modwright Sig. in Tas a fer years ago used Ice amps with it and it was a nice combo according to them.

My 2 ch. system will ultimatly be
Denon 2900 > Benchmark Dac 1> Modwright SWL 9.0 SE Signiture > Butler TBD2250> Gallo 3.1 w/Gallo Sub Amp.

I may use the Trio in a small system since my main rig is down, using the Due's.
V

Gaara

Venom, it was nothing against the Modwright, it was the Trio that didn't work out. I bought it to try Icepower but it didn't dethrone my Earthquake Cinenova, so I used it for my surrounds instead. Actually I still use a surround amp that uses the same modules, and use EVS 500Ms for my fronts that use the higher power 1000ASP modules.

The Modwright I had for close to 2yrs and really enjoyed it. It was the best pre I ever had, I just never used it to it's potential and I had a realization that most of what I listen to isn't that "high end". Since then I have been paring down the entire system, most recently selling my BPT BP-2 Signature.

Should be a solid combo, but dam is it going to get hot. Tube pre, tube amp, and the sub amp just for 2ch, I would hate to see your electric bill.

SCompRacer

venomclan wrote: »

I would love to own the 36.5, but it is out of my price range.

Out of my reach too. Then again I convinced myself I've heard enough tube and SS gear to be happy with the sound I presently get with my system. Interesting, now he is using the 6SN7's in his LS100.

What Modwright Sony do you have? The 5400?

I have the 9100ES. It doesn't see that much use since I went PC based with my digital music and an external DAC. He did offer a digital in mod for the 9100ES that ran ~$800, but I didn't want to invest that much more into it.

venomclan

Gaara wrote: »

Venom, it was nothing against the Modwright, it was the Trio that didn't work out. I bought it to try Icepower but it didn't dethrone my Earthquake Cinenova, so I used it for my surrounds instead. Actually I still use a surround amp that uses the same modules, and use EVS 500Ms for my fronts that use the higher power 1000ASP modules.

The Modwright I had for close to 2yrs and really enjoyed it. It was the best pre I ever had, I just never used it to it's potential and I had a realization that most of what I listen to isn't that "high end". Since then I have been paring down the entire system, most recently selling my BPT BP-2 Signature.

Should be a solid combo, but dam is it going to get hot. Tube pre, tube amp, and the sub amp just for 2ch, I would hate to see your electric bill.

Good to hear that it was not the Modwright you did not like. I have never really tried the Trio for 2 channel. Some people love the ICE sound, but I will stick to what I have for now.

As for heat, I anticipate the Mod Sig to be hotter, as it has an added large rectifier tube along with the other 2. I have not tried the Gallo sub amp yet, I bought one but do not know how hot it really gets. I remember you said it has a louder fan, and I wish Gallo used ice for that unit. I was playing with the idea of getting a cross over and using the trio as the sub amp, seems perfect for that application. But I liked the versitility of the sub amp. The Butler hybid amp, emits no heat at all, the chassis does not even get warm. The tubes are cool and glow blue and the ss portion of the amp stays cool also. Not sure how they do it as my old Krell with the same power ratings and no tubes was a space heater.

SCompRacer wrote: »

Out of my reach too. Then again I convinced myself I've heard enough tube and SS gear to be happy with the sound I presently get with my system. Interesting, now he is using the 6SN7's in his LS100.

I have the 9100ES. It doesn't see that much use since I went PC based with my digital music and an external DAC. He did offer a digital in mod for the 9100ES that ran ~$800, but I didn't want to invest that much more into it.

I like the concept of the LS100, but I do not think that it is enough of a step up from the SWL9.0Sig. It uses different tube and has more features, but most of them I will not use. The seller I bought the Sig from has a LS100 on order. Dan knows his stuff, glad to see he is doing well in this market.
V

Gaara

venomclan wrote: »

Good to hear that it was not the Modwright you did not like. I have never really tried the Trio for 2 channel. Some people love the ICE sound, but I will stick to what I have for now.

As for heat, I anticipate the Mod Sig to be hotter, as it has an added large rectifier tube along with the other 2. I have not tried the Gallo sub amp yet, I bought one but do not know how hot it really gets. I remember you said it has a louder fan, and I wish Gallo used ice for that unit. I was playing with the idea of getting a cross over and using the trio as the sub amp, seems perfect for that application. But I liked the versitility of the sub amp. The Butler hybid amp, emits no heat at all, the chassis does not even get warm. The tubes are cool and glow blue and the ss portion of the amp stays cool also. Not sure how they do it as my old Krell with the same power ratings and no tubes was a space heater.

Wow, I figured that the Butler would be burning up w/ the tubes.

Yeah the sub amp can put some heat out, but all the adjustments makes it perfect for the job. I eventually went the icepower route, have a custom 4ch amp for my surrounds but got rid of the rear surrounds and currently use 2chs for the 2nd voice coil w/ a crossover. It works well, but not perfect, though I love that it runs cold.