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Preamp: Mcintosh vs Modwright?

I asked this on the Bryston board over at Audio Circle and was hoping that some of you Agoners may provide some help.

I am looking for a tube pre to go with my 14b (speakers are OB1's) and am looking at either a
Modwright SWL 9.0SE or a Mcintosh C220.
This would be moving my Musical Fidelity CD-Pre24 to handle just cd playback and no preamp duties.

Feature wise, the Mac is more than I will use (no turntable in my system), where as the Mod, being
only a linestage will probably be enough to handle any future components.

Has anyone had the chance to compare these two pre's with a Bryston amp?

If I go for the Modwright, I would get it with the SWL Tube Recificatication Upgrade.
Cost wise, this would make about $3000 for a new SWL vs $3300 for a new C220.
I realize on the used market (Agon), the Mac may command a slightly higher resale price than the Mod.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
hpower
jamnperry
123 posts
 
May not be exactly the same. Dan is using newer caps he had specially made for him, I believe. They wouldn't be in the older SWL's, but if you're sending a SWL to have the tube stage upgrade, I think he could change the caps too.
I'm pretty sure he's using the new caps in the SWL's now, which would mean that yes, the linestage is the same in the SWLP and the SWL. Probably a good idea to contact him to get a definite answer to your question though.
I totally agree with Colopilot and his observations. Ours are also almost exactly the same too, with Dact and blackgates.
hpower OP
19 posts
 
Jam / Pilot

I have responded to this new ad:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1179248218

It reads excactly like what I was hoping to come up with, a "Signature Edition".

But after doing a little digging I discover (based on running the S/N by Dan) that in fact it has a built date from 2 years ago and is one of the first 50 "Special Editions" made.
I don't think the seller was aware of this until I told him.

I then spoke to the dealer that sold the unit to my Agon seller and he tells me that it was sold as new a few months ago and that he has had it for about 8 months previous to that.
He said that Dan sold it to him (aprox. 10 months ago) as one of the 1st SWL's that he fitted the tube rectified PS with. The dealer mentioned tha it was played as a demo in the store, with a lot of people inquiring if Dan was going to offer this PS version as a production model. As they say, "the rest is history".

I was already to jump on this one based on the ad but, to me, the unit really isn't how I originally interperated the sellers ad.

What do you guys think?
tvad
9,467 posts
 
If it's current with the latest SWL 9.0 parts and design, then what's the problem?
hpower OP
19 posts
 
Being what is basically a prototype power supply makes me wonder how much Dan improved upon it before he was satisfied enough to offer this as a production model.
It's not like Dan never does any tweaking to get to where he is going.

I think the ad was a little misleading, although I don't think the seller did so on purpose.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
If I were you, I'd check with Dan Wright about the status of the power supply as it compares with the production model. If his explanation does not satisfy you, then I'd suggest moving on. What can any of us possibly add to assuage your concerns beyond what the manufacturer can tell you?
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