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Audible Illusions 3A or Modwright SWL9.0Signature?

These two pre-amps are too close to call. Both have received excellent reviews. However, from the aspect of dynamics, accuracy and especially MUSICALITY, which pre-amp might have the edge???.... Also, though it is almost twice as expensive as the above units, how does the Rowland's Concerto pre-amp rate?? There are hardly any reviews of the unit.
sunnyjim
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,934 posts
 
I owned an Audible Illusions 3A many years ago and many, many preamps ago. I currently own the Modwright SWL9.0SE Signature. It's one of the best preamps I've ever owned or heard. I have never missed the AI 3A, not even once...if that helps you any?
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
Thank you for your response. I am curious how the supplied remote is calibrated. Is it at least one 1 db steps?? Does the volume increase rapidly or gradualy?? How in your opinion is the Modwright superior in sound quality to the Audible Illusions?? Cheers, Jim
dcarol
62 posts
 
Hi Sunny

I currently have in my system the SWL9.0 Signature and it is excellent. I don't know the AI-3A but if it anything like the Modwright I would be shocked. The 9.0SE is pretty transparent and betters any Levinson or Krell unit and certainly many highly recommended CJ preamps I have had in the system.

I can only highly recommend the 9.0SE as an excellent preamp at the price and if it were double the price it would still be a bargain!
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

After taking a peep at the innards of the Modwright, I can see why it could sound better than my 3A. I didn't find any pictures of the Rowland's innards. That huge transformer and the exclusion of electrolytic caps is a good indicator. Since there is not enough room inside my 3A for those "mods", I'll have to consider a Modwright.
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