Modwright SWL 9.0SE

rdb2001
rdb2001 Posts: 791
edited October 2012 in 2 Channel Audio
Just wanted some input on this tube preamp. Is it a pretty good preamp? Is $1100 a good price for one in great condition? Would possibly be mated with a Classe CA-151. Thanks
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,499
    edited October 2012
    Some of us think it's a great sounding pre, but only if you like high current extremely low distortion tube sound. Not sure of pricing as I haven't looked at Audiogon in quite a while. Some folks didn't like them as they lean more toward SS than tube sounding and sold them quickly afterward. The pre is very dynamic and I love the tonal accuracy and soundstaging it provides.

    There was the original SWL 9.0SE offering fitted with Sonicaps, then Dan came out with his own ModWright branded cap (oil-impregnated metalized polypropylene) and called them Signature Editions. You could buy the Signature Edition new or send an original pre back to be refitted with his Signature caps. The power supply could be SS or tube rectified, and there was an upgrade (or maybe two IIRC) offered for them too. (Some folks, including me, think they sound better with the tube rectified PS versus the SS power supply).

    I still have my ModWright SWLP 9.0SE Signature Edition with tube rectified PS. (The LP denotes his built in SWP 9.0 phono stage). I've had it since 2007, and still love it. Tube life is not as great as with some audio type tube pre amps. Some audio tube pre amps can go 10K hours before retubing, the ModWright is like 5K-7K hours. I'm happy to say I've gotten around the 7K hours or more mark.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited October 2012
    I had this preamp and just loved it. I upgraded to the Signature Edition and it was even better. I appreciated that it was neutral sounding and not overly warm with all the edges rounded. No this preamp has sharp edges and a bite. It's not bright or analytical either. It added lots more impact and a fuller sound- more weight to the music. There is so much information about this preamp already written. Do a search.
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,418
    edited October 2012
    They are bringing aroud 2k on on the Gon, so for the price you cannot go wrong by giving it a try.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • rdb2001
    rdb2001 Posts: 791
    edited October 2012
    Thanks guys for the input. I have been reading up on it but wanted some first hand experience input. I originally was going with a candela from Klaus but with 4 weeks passed and no product, I decided to go in a different route. Scored a heck of a deal on a bryston 4bsst yesterday so that is what this will be mated with in my hybrid ht/2 channel setup. This has HTBP which was a big functionality that I needed. Thanks for all of the input.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,499
    edited October 2012
    rdb, I screwed up, tube life is 3k to 5K hours, not 5K to 7K, although I had some last that long.

    I also like the tape out feature. I do hi-res vinyl rips using an RCA to 1/8" plug IC via tape out into a laptop. If you go ahead hopefully they have the manual. If not give Dan a shout, or I'll copy mine for you. It gives you some info about operation, remote code, design and input/output impedance. Note that this design inverts absolute phase so you may have to reverse your speaker cable lead polarity.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • musky1963
    musky1963 Posts: 275
    edited October 2012
    I used to have an SWLP w/ seperate tubed PS and sold it years ago. I now want to get another :eek:. I found one FS, but it was modified and the volume on the remote was disabled :neutral: .
    Jeff
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,499
    edited October 2012
    musky1963 wrote: »
    I used to have an SWLP w/ seperate tubed PS and sold it years ago. I now want to get another :eek:. I found one FS, but it was modified and the volume on the remote was disabled :neutral: .

    That's one of them sonic upgrades that removes convenience. If I really love the Krell pre w/phono, I'll keep you in mind for my SWLP. Remote intact. Signature caps, tube rectified PS, all PS upgrades applied that I am aware of. It will be hard to part with.....

    218_78_big.jpg
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,047
    edited October 2012
    I have the SWL9.0SE signature with tube rectified PS. I bought it used with Tung Sols in it. They lasted a couple of years and then went microphonic as hell. It now has some GE5687WA's. The sound is now absolutely stellar. I'm frequently amazed when listening. I'm feeding it from a SB touch and out to an Aragon 8008 to LSi-15's. Couple of things about this pre. The HTBP is manual only. It gets to be a pain sometimes. The unit has to be powered on for HTBP to work. This probably shortens tube life. The remote sensor is recessed behind the face plate. This means that the remote has to be nearly dead-on perpendicular to the front of the unit. Not much up/down or left/right tolerance. So in some seating positions I have to lean way over with my arm outstretched to get it to respond to the remote. The case has 10 tiny screws that have teeny tiny allen drives. Not totally convenient for swapping tubes. Overall though I'm happy with it. I don't think I could get this quality of sound without spending significantly more money. I wish it had a balance control since I listen from multiple positions. The CJ PV-14L2 is on my short list of pre's to try for this reason.
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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