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Modwright SWL 9.0SE Pre ... your thoughts welcome

Hey, I have decided to dive into tubes ... well, you get my meaning. I was steered towards the Modwright SWL 9.0SE and so far have read some good things. I'm running a Levinson ML-27 for power and Paradigm S-4's for speakers. My transport is nothing special, Denon DVD-2200 but I am also looking at running a tubed DAC in hopes of bringing the system a little more alive. Right now the system seems a little flat ... not very exciting. Plenty of volume bass end it fantastic but the mid and upper end seem very packaged. Imaging is not very good ... High and mid frequencies don’t seem to blend well. Some CD's have fair to good sound but most seem pretty "plain". Just doesn’t have that delicacy I'm looking for. I seem to listen the SPEAKERS and not the music. I recently listened to an older set of Paradigms pushed by a small tubed integrated and I was amazed. The tubed gear really made the Paradigm speakers come to life ... I was set back in my chair. Vocals were clear and crisp … the sound was extremely detailed and I had to be drug out of the room. Since then I have really started to pick a part my system.

Cables are Signalcable Silver Resolution Balanced and Cobalt Ultimate speaker cables. I'm running Signal cable "Magic" power cables. Nothing fancy but it should do the job.

Is this upgrade going to help? Has anyone experienced this?

Any better preamps in the $1500-2000 range? What about Levinson SS preamps?

Help me out … Please
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Showing 2 responses by ije

ije
29 posts
 
Happy to chime in here as well. Mr. Wright is working his magic on a SWL 9.0SE with Bybee Filters and the Tung Sol tubes.

Oh how I am itching to get my greasy paws on it next week. The experience so far talking to Dan has been great. He is a pleasure to deal with.

I ordered mine thru Jay at Audio Revolution. The experience with Jay has been a very good one as well. Highly recommended.
ije
29 posts
 
I recently received my Modwright SWL 9.0SE with bybee filters and Tung Sol tubes in my first foray into the world of tubes.

Dan Wright made the experience a very enjoyable one, offering suggestions and contacts with experiences in systems similar to mine especially with a McCormack DNA 500. There was no pressure to buy his preamp, he always answered the phone on first ring, responded to emails quick and personally. Like a personal tailor, he will listen, offer suggestions and build your preamp to your exact specifications. His vast knowledge at your disposal.

Dan is a master craftsman. The Modwright SWL 9.0SE is a precision crafted and superbly engineered piece of audio gear. The face plate alone is simply gorgeous to look at and simply screams PRECISION CRAFTMANSHIP.

How does it sound? The highs are airy without being hard and with just the right amount of decay. The bass lines? solidly defined and taut. Not boomy. Midrange? You need to experience it!

This is a high resolution/high definition sounding preamp and simply a high value product at its price point. With HT By-Pass folks and a remote!

If you are interested in a preamp, regardless of price, solid state or tube, I highly, repeat highly, recommend an audition or researching of the Modwright SWL 9.0SE preamp. Give Dan a call. He definitely is a joy to talk to on the phone. You don't have anything to lose by calling Dan.

I am a very very satisfied customer. Glad I made the call after reading the reviews on this preamp.

Enjoy the music.
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