Modwright SWL 9.0SE Preamplifier

I believe Undertow might have nailed it. The SWL9.0SE is so accurate and neutral that it is much closer in sound to a solid state preamplifier than a tubed preamplifier. Perhaps owners who sell the SWL9.0SE originally decided to take the plunge into tubed electronics with the Modwright preamp and decided it didn't provide as much change as they were hoping, and they subsequently sold their SWL9.0SE as they searched for more of the holographic presentation of a "colored" tubed preamp. Also, perhaps those who liked the accuracy of the Modwright decided that a good solid state preamp would provide the same benefits while removing the need for tube maintenance.

My reason for selling the SWL9.0SE was the former, although it wasn't my first foray into tubed preamps.

I agree with Tedmbrady. The sound has an analogue feel to it, it makes me think I am listening to my vinyl when I have a CD on. I have compared it to a CJ Pv-11 and a Rogue 99 Magnum. The Rogue and the CJ are warmer. The CJ is really a little too warm and syrupy, but very extended on top actually brighter than the Modwright and rolled off on the bottom. The Rogue did better on bottom, but it was too soft (but extended) on the highs. The Rogue has the biggest sound of the 3 - almost too big, and it seemed to expand dynamics, everything was a little larger than life. I wanted a warm sounding preamp so I tried the Modwright. Now this sounds like a Mama bear Papa bear story - the Modwright is just right in my system, BUT it took a month and a half to sound right. It sounded solid state to me at first. Maybe others have sold their units before allowing everything to break in. I was nearly about to sell mine until one day I turned it on and everthing sounded right. It was a painful break in period. I am mating it up with a Pass labs X-150 which is not a warm sounding amp and I like the combo. YMMV. BTW most of the caps in it are Sonicaps which are some of the best most transparent dynamic caps on the market.

I'd hate for people to believe that the MW preamp is like a SS preamp. It absolutely is not. Sure, I agree it does not impart a large tube "bloom" like some, and, it is closer to a SS preamp than some, but make no mistake, you are getting accuracy with the virtue of tube smooth with this unit. I won't speculate why some have sold, but with various tube rolling I have experienced everything from too much tube bloom (Raytheon tubes) to accuracy and softness (Amperex 7119) for my taste.

Jeffjazz makes a very good point about break-in, and synergy with loudspeakers.

My SWL9.0SE originally had Sonicaps, and I had the power supply caps modified to Blackgates. The Blackgates were clearly superior to the Sonicaps in my system, but they took a whopping 500 hours to break in. The change was obvious once it occurred.

Also, I was using the SWL9.0SE with VS Gen III HSE loudspeakers, which are extremely revealing and unforgiving of components, IMO.

I agreed with Mijknarf. In fact, The SW9SE is sounded very 3D with very smooth mid range which SS preamps cannot provide. Even my wife(she is not a audiophile) can pick up the difference after I change from SS preamp to SW9SE tube pre (retubed to RCA Bronze plate). She said, what did you do to your system ? I can hear more 3D and a lot more depth in the music. She was asking "how many thousands of $ did you spent on this change?". Of course, I said, I just cleaned up all the cable contacts inside and outside of my old preamp. Hehe... Yeah right ! haha...