Modwright SWL 9.0SE Pre ... your thoughts welcome

Hello all,
Can Dan build the Modwright SWL 9.0 preamp with BALANCED XLR and single-ended outputs?
My JC-1 monos sound quite a bit better using the balanced inputs.
If so, how much $$$ extra are the balanced outputs?
Does Dan offer any other upgrades as well?
If so, what are they and how much $$$?

These are perfect questions to ask Dan.

My experience with Dan ,He is just a world class person.
I listen to his preamp on 711 house,its very very
good.One thing, I admire on Dans product,is they are really
musical.Merry Christmas Dan and to all.

First of all, thank you all for the support and kind words. I am very pleased with the success of our first product - that is actually built by us from the ground up.

I am also pleased to hear that our attention to customer service is acknowledged and appreciated. I can't be all things to all customers, but I simply try to be honest with everyone and treat all of our customers with the same level of respect and service that they deserve.

To answer the question about balanced design options:

The SWL 9.0SE is a single-ended design, i.e. not balanced (not differential). The only way to truly add balanced outputs or inputs to the design (aside from simply adding XLR jacks, wired SE as some mfrs. have done) is to use high-quality line-level transformers.

I have successfully done this on the output of the design, converting the output signal from single-ended to differential (balanced). This has been done as a custom upgrade for a few customers.

I feel the result has been very good, but the high-quality transformers are expensive. The sonic benefits include even better impedance matching between amp and preamp and the ability to run LONG cables due to noise-cancellation and shielding benefits of balanced operation. Additionally, the output transformers that we use also reduce the output level (less overall gain) AND a corresponding reduction in preamp self noise, which is already extremely quiet.

I have considered offering a balanced output option for the 9.0SE. A balanced input is not available now and may not ever be. I am also working on a phono preamp that will be available, built into the SWL 9.0SE, or as a standalone phono preamp. The built-in option for the 9.0SE will include moving the power supply outboard. The advantages to offering an external power supply would include more space inside the unit (phono upgrade, possible future DAC board upgrade), and greater flexibility with an external PS enclosure to build a more sophisticated power supply. The improved supply would benefit the phono stage and linestage equally.

I am also considering building a higher-end unit that would be balanced throughout and feature an outboard power supply.

I am, to be perfectly honest, in a bit of a quandry here:

1) I want to offer options to suit different customers needs and desires. I also want to offer an attractive upgrade path to SWL 9.0SE customers and would of course prefer that they upgrade with ModWright Instruments products.

2) I am leary of alienating our customers, with a series of revisions and upgrades, resulting in the 9.0SE MK I Rev. II, etc.

3) I also want to be able to keep up with production of the standard 9.0SE and maintain a solid level of quality and efficiency in our manufacturing.

I would appreciate your comments and specifically, to answer the question of whether you as ModWright Instruments customers and potential customers want to see upgrade options such as those mentioned above, for the 9.0SE. Or, would you prefer to simply see another product to follow - necessarily at a higher price-point - that features those options.

The SWL 9.0SE was meant to be a high-quality, high-value product that brought Class 'A' performance to the audiophile at a real-world price. It is not inexpensive, nor could we build it cheaply and have it perform at the level that it does. But, at $2200, it was meant to compete with other products that are 2x - 3x plus its price. I don't want to lose sight of this with upgrades that will necessarily add to the overall cost of the 9.0SE.

Thanks and I do welcome your feedback.

Dan Wright
President, ModWright Instruments Inc.
360-247-6688

My opinion, is that constantly offering small upgrades and options to the SWL9.0SE, while extremely flexible and convenient is ultimately frustrating because one never knows what version one owns, what is standard, and frankly, it contributes to Audiophilia Nervosa. :)

The series of seemingly endless mini-revisions of the NuForce amplifiers comes immediately to mind.

My suggestion would be to keep the current SWL9.0SE as is, and continue to offer the options of Bybees, Blackgate, and Tung Sol tubes.

I would suggest a stand alone outboard phono section as a separate Modwright product.

I would further suggest a new, upgraded Modwright preamp which would include standard balanced outputs, output transformers, Blackgate cap in the power supply, an outboard power supply, and other goodies you might be considering. Further, even in this unit, I'd suggest leaving Bybees as an option.

One last thought...if the stand alone phono section is problematic and expensive to produce, I would suggest keeping the phono section an optional feature on only the new, upgraded preamp, and I'd make it an on-board section rather than an outboard unit to keep down the cost.

That's my two cents...

Thanks Tvad, I agree with you RE the constant upgrades and reivisions. I don't want to confuse the marketplace or cause audiophile nervosa either ;).

I believe the best thing is to reserve the special and major design upgrades for the next model.

I appreciate your input.

Dan