I'm having trouble deciding

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newbie308
newbie308 Posts: 830
in 2 Channel Audio
I have been searching for a remote control tube line stage preamp. I don't really need a phono section since I have a Musical Surroundings Nova ii for that. My budget is $1500 to $2000, so I'm looking at the used market. So far, I've whittled it down to either a Modwright SWL 9.0se or a Rogue audio RP5. I also like the Cary audio offerings, but I read some reviews that say the Cary units have issues with the remote control operating in reverse on occasion. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Enjoying the journey while never attaining the destination.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 27,741
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    Hard to go wrong with anything Modwright.
    Just my .02
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 8,078
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    Modwright. Go for it. I was inches from getting a 9.0SE, but went solid state just so I didn't have to ever worry about finding good tubes. Maybe I made a mistake, but I'm sticking to it.
    See profile for rigs. Nothing else here.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 9,254
    edited July 25
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    I had a ModWright SWL 9.0SE and later had Dan convert it to an SWLP with phono stage. I opted for the blue face option. I probably would have stayed with it, but I built a DAC that was designed to sound best with balanced output, so I sold it. Dan offered to put XLR's in it but it would not be a true balanced output. There was an option for internal or external PS, the external being an upgrade. It uses a 5AR4 rectifier tube.

    The pre takes a 5687 tube which some do not care for. I call it clean and detailed, the haters say it sounds like solid state. Similar to a 6H30 tube (the cleanest and most linear sounding), which is what's in the pre amp I have now. 7119 was an optional tube some preferred. A big tube upgrade was using a Bendix 6900 cold war missile tube (near twice the transconductance), but those are very pricey. MU Engineering had bought the Bendix Redbank division and rebranded existing stock and continued to manufacture with Bendix tooling. Back when I owned the ModWright, you could buy those MU6900 cheap (like $300 a pair versus $800 a pair for Bendix) until folks caught on that they were the same tube.

    Also be aware the ModWright inverts phase so you have to reverse speaker cables which is not a big deal. Dan was not the only manufacturer to do that. That also depends on how many gain stages your amp has, in other words if your amp inverts polarity. Pres that invert phase did that for purity so they wouldn't have to add another gain stage to correct phase.

    tt6s1afavch2.jpg
    zi17vcsm5c5n.jpg

    Fun fact, the 6900 for ICBM use had an impact shock rating of 500 G and a maximum vibrational acceleration of 50 G.

    tklgmiauqgu0.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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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 830
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    The blue face is really sharp! Thanks for all the info! I knew this was the right group to ask for advice.
    Enjoying the journey while never attaining the destination.
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 8,078
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    Of course, we always encourage our fellow members to spend more money :D
    See profile for rigs. Nothing else here.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 35,501
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    SCompRacer wrote: »
    ...

    Fun fact, the 6900 for ICBM use had an impact shock rating of 500 G and a maximum vibrational acceleration of 50 G.

    tklgmiauqgu0.jpg

    On the other hand, it only had to work once.
    :#


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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 9,254
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    On the other hand, it only had to work once.

    LOL Excellent point!
    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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  • bcwsrt
    bcwsrt Posts: 2,635
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    The Rogue remotes are pretty basic (volume up/down and mute) if that's a factor. Have to get up to change sources. As I sit here listening to my Cronus Magnum integrated, the amazing sound does make up for that shortfall, however.

    Brian

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  • tratliff
    tratliff Posts: 1,868
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    I’ve had a Cary pre in the past and currently have a Modwright phono pre. Got to have a good conversation this last weekend with Dan at Southwest Audio Fest. We discussed performing some upgrades on my PH-150. Very helpful and conversational about modifications and product.

    During my ownership of the Cary pre I was not 100% happy with the customer service.
    2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Norma Revo DAC-2, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon, WAY power cables for all other sources.
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,144
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    I ran the SWL 9.0 SE for a few years. Sold it to a forum member a few years back. It was a nice unit but not very "tubey" sounding. Clean, detailed and enjoyable sound for sure but it never wowed me as far as having tube "soul". My unit had the tube rectifier. I ran it through an Aragon 8008 MkII SS amp.
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|REL T/9X SE Sub
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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 830
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    I just purchased a silver faced SWL 9.0 SE with the internal tube rectification. I'll post some pictures when it arrives! :)
    Enjoying the journey while never attaining the destination.
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  • Butter
    Butter Posts: 30
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    Nice! The joy of new equipment 👍
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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 830
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    A few pics
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    htbhl8cc5v96.jpg
    Enjoying the journey while never attaining the destination.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 9,254
    edited July 31
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    Great condition with some great tubes in it! Tung Sol 5687 and a Mullard 5AR4/GZ34, or a rebrand. Dan supplied them with Sovtek rectifier tubes. He got a bad lot and they could arc inside like plasma globes. He quickly sent a replacement. I got a hold of some Mullard plastic base 5AR4 with metal base innards for mine. I also had ModWright's Sony 999ES and the 9100ES SCAD players which included an external power supply with 5AR4 and also used the 5687 tubes. Enjoy!
    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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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 830
    edited July 31
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    The Threshold SL-10 preamp that this replaced was quite good, but I immediately noticed more details at both ends of the audio spectrum with this preamp. The bass is better controlled and there's more sparkle in the highs. I listened to so much music last night that I'm going to have a rough day at work today due to lack of sleep. I just couldn't get enough! Worth it!
    Enjoying the journey while never attaining the destination.
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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 830
    edited August 14
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    I never imagined that a single component could make such a huge impact on what reaches my ears. I am blown away by what the Modwright SWL9.0se did to my system. I listen to songs that I've heard hundreds of times before but now it's a completely different experience. The level of detail that this preamp reveals is astonishing! The separation of instruments, the pinpoint location and level of focus, the grit of a guitar pick striking a wire wound string. It's all there! I had heard these things when I'd visit my local hifi store and thought that there was something wrong with my speakers. There's nothing wrong with my speakers! The Threshold SL-10 was definitely smoothing off the details. It improved slightly when I recapped the SL-10, a couple of years ago, but the detail from the Modwright is one hundred times that of the Threshold. Thank you to everyone who steered me towards this purchase. I'm so glad I did this!
    Enjoying the journey while never attaining the destination.
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  • tratliff
    tratliff Posts: 1,868
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    newbie308 wrote: »
    I never imagined that a single component could make such a huge impact on what reaches my ears. I am blown away by what the Modwright SWL9.0se did to my system. I listen to songs that I've heard hundreds of times before but now it's a completely different experience. The level of detail that this preamp reveals is astonishing! The separation of instruments, the pinpoint location and level of focus, the grit of a guitar pick striking a wire wound string. It's all there! I had heard these things when I'd visit my local hifi store and thought that there was something wrong with my speakers. There's nothing wrong with my speakers! The Threshold SL-10 was definitely smoothing off the details. It improved slightly when I recapped the SL-10, a couple of years ago, but the detail from the Modwright is one hundred times that of the Threshold. Thank you to everyone who steered me towards this purchase. I'm so glad I did this!

    It is a great piece.
    2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Norma Revo DAC-2, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon, WAY power cables for all other sources.
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 8,078
    edited August 14
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    In my opinion, the preamp has the 2nd greatest effect on the overall sound only exceeded by the speakers. The nuances are preserved or destroyed in the line level signals. (Note: I'm not including all the variables in a vinyl playback rig which is obviously is more complex and variable).
    See profile for rigs. Nothing else here.
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