Modwright SWL 9.0 SE Linestage
The 'Signature Edition' adds new upgraded tube-rectified (5AR4) internal power supply. The new supply results in significant sonic improvements over the standard SWL 9.0SE. Soundstage is broader, tonality more organic and overall musicality greatly improved.
In keeping with the ModWright tradition of exceptional value, performance and service, the SWL 9.0SE represents a benchmark for high-performance tube linestage preamplifiers.
Top quality parts are used throughout, including FRED and Schottky diodes, metal film Vishay resistors, ceramic tube sockets and high-quality film caps in the signal path insure exceptional performance. The power supply features a choke input current regulation and there’s a mute-on delay turn-on sequence with soft-start B+ supply.
The unit is voiced to offer a full, fast and accurate recreation of the entire frequency range without being cold or sterile. Bass is deep, tight and authoritative and high frequencies sparkle. The tonal balanced is designed to be precise and detailed without edge or glare. The liquidity and 3-D imaging of tubes is present, without the ‘soft’ or ‘syrupy’ sound often attributed to tube designs.
Technical Specifications
- Tube Complement: (2) 5687 tubes. Dan has designed the circuit around the 5687; a very linear and extremely low noise dual triode used in pure class A.
- Gain: ~15dB.
- Input Impedance: 50Kohm.
- Output Impedance: ~600ohm.
- Frequency Response: 17Hz – 100Khz +/-1dB
- Noise Level: -122dB
- Weight: 25 lbs. (30 lbs. shipped).
- Dimensions: 17.5”W x 12.375”D x 4.75”H.
Basic Specifications:
- (4) stanard inputs (One monitor input), (2) sets of main outputs and (1) tape out.
- Remote control Volume and Mute, Power, Input Select, Home Theater Bypass loop (HT/BP) and tape/monitor loop. Power and input select are not remote controlled.
Design Information:
- Power Supply: Choke input current regulation, DC heaters, discrete B+ voltage regulation.
- Gain Stage: Fixed battery bias, ‘Mu’* type gain/buffer stage.
- Power Sequence: Mute-on delay turn-on sequence with soft-start B+ supply.
- Volume Control: Remote Control Alps motorized volume potentiometer.
Design Philosophy:
- The SWL 9.0SE is designed to offer the Audiophile, World-Class Performance at a Real-World price.
- The unit is voiced to offer a full, fast and accurate recreation of the entire frequency range. Bass is deep, tight and authoritative and high frequencies sparkle. The tonal balanced is designed to be accurate and detailed without edge or glare. The liquidity and holographic imaging of tubes is present, without the ‘soft’ or ‘syrupy’ sound often attributed to tube designs. Use of the very linear 5687 tube and pure Class A circuitry allow for low distortion and exceptionally low noise.
- Top quality parts are used throughout, including FRED and Schottky diodes, metal film Vishay resistors, ceramic tube sockets and hiqh-quality film caps in signal path applications insure exceptional performance.
- *The ‘Mu’ stage circuit type used in the design is credited to Alan Kimmel. Alan was consulted during the design process.
Reviews
"...ModWright's preamp has sportscar-like torque. You needn't goose it to get into its sweet spot...".
"...the SWL 9.0 SE doesn't do anything wrong. If there be subtle sins of omission, they aren't even sins. Significantly more money should buy you something more after all, shouldn't it? So you get fancier packaging and the snazzified all-metal remote, the digital readout with balance control, more texture and suavity and whatever mystique comes from joining a particular firm's image. But when it comes to hunkering down in your favorite chair, dimming the lights and entering the zone? T