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Model: | SWL 9.0 Signature |
Category: | Preamplifier (Tube) |
Suggested Retail Price: | $3000. |
Description: | Tube linestage |
Manufacturer URL: | ModWright |
Model Picture: | View |
Review by classfolkphile on August 11, 2007 at 21:14:33 IP Address: 69.113.2.246 | Add Your Review for the SWL 9.0 Signature |
The Modwright SWL 9.0 Signature is the tube rectified version of the SWL 9.0SE. It uses one 5AR4/GZ34 rectifier in addition to the two 5687s of the original unit. I previously reviewed the SE on AA so I'll just compare the two units r/t repeat what I stated earlier.
The 9.0 Signature is a large step up from the SE. It retains all of the virtues of the latter. These are it's transparency, resolution, wide frequency extension and dynamics, frequency balance, Naim like PRAT, and incredibly quiet background. To this the Signature adds a much wider and deeper soundstage, more three dimensional images, and greater harmonic richness. Bass is more extended and articulate. Amazingly, the noise level is even further reduced and resolution is increased.
A friend loaned me an Aesthetix Calypso for a few weeks and in comparison with the Modwright, I found the former rolled off, with fuzzy bass and some smearing of notes. The Calypso has a beautiful midrange but the SWL Signature is much more accurate spatially (images don't drift at all) and tonally (notes sound more pitch and harmonically true).
The $3000. price for the Signature now includes all Modwright capaciators as well as the tube rectified P.S. Each of these two improvements can be added to an existing 9.0SE for $500. apiece. My unit only had the two Sonicap Teflon caps replaced with Modwright caps, along with the new P.S. My unit has also had, from the beginning, a Blackgate P.S. cap and Bybee Filters upgrade. Regardless, the tube rectified P.S. upgrade clearly accounts for a tremendous improvement that is a steal at it's price.
Product Weakness: | None at the price. |
Product Strengths: | Huge value. See above. |
Amplifier: | Quad II Classic mono-blocks |
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Modwright SWL 9.0 Signature |
Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Modwright Platinum Sony 9100ES |
Speakers: | Aural Acoustics Model B |
Cables/Interconnects: | Kubala Sosna Emotion and Expression ICs, Ridge St. Audio Alethius Spkr. Cables |
Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Classical, folk, jazz, rock, world |
Room Size (LxWxH): | 23' x 11' x 7.5' |
Room Comments/Treatments: | Room Tunes, Echobusters Bass Busters |
Time Period/Length of Audition: | several months |
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): | World Power Power Wing |
Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
Last week I received my Modwright 9.0SE upgraded with the Modwright caps and the tube-rectified power supply. Right away I found the midrange a little too forward with a trace of harshness. I am using this system with a Behringer DEQ2496 for room correction. I re-ran the room correction and sure enough, the midrange was a few dB forward compared to the unmodified 9.0SE. After about 10 hours of listening the sound is definitely smoothing out. Now I notice significantly increased resolution and a deeper soundstage. Already the modified 9.0SE has surpassed the unmodified preamp. If anything the modified 9.0SE is more neutral and resolving than the unmodified preamp. The tube-rectified power supply does not add a tubey sound. More ARC than early Conrad-Johnson. Would it speed up the break in to leave the preamp on without passing a signal?
I'm not sure but I think you have to run a signal through the caps for them to break in.
The unit will get a lot better yet. I prefer mine to the CJ Premier 17LS2 I owned and the Act 2 I had on loan for a few weeks. And I like CJ.
I own the new SWLP 9.0SE with Bybee upgrade. You didn't mention it in your review - which I agree with by the way - but Dan's capacitors and the Bybees need hundreds of hours of break-in. I'm at the 400-500 hour stage (I've lost track) and the thing just keeps getting better. Upgrading the 5AR4 also makes a big difference.
Thanks, I didn't know Bybees needed a lot of break-in time. I ordered my 9.0SE with the Bybees so they were well broken in before the upgrade to the tube rectified P.S.Yes of course caps, particularly teflon ones, take a long time to wear in but Dan does do some initial break-in of his caps, unlike anyone else as far as I know. As I listed on the bottom of the review, I've had the upgraded unit for several months now.
I have changed the Sovtek 5AR4 for a Mullard and it does make a significant improvement, especially in harmonic richness and tonal accuracy. Everything I wrote, however, does applies to the unit with the stock tube: it's just all increased with the Mullard, which I would also strongly recommend.
N.T.
My impressions of the Signature Edition (tube rect, grounding and cap upgrade) over the Special Edition:More detailed and direct midrange. Its not accentuated, just has more microdynamics and is more present. It also seems slightly smoother and controlled right across the frequency response range.
The two upgrades (tube rect and cap) definitely work well together and are very complimentary. Overall the feeling is even more natural and neutral. I love it.
nt
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