AudioCircle
Industry Circles => ModWright Instruments (MWI) => Topic started by: modwright on 5 Oct 2016, 01:43 am
-
I realized some time back that more and more people are enjoying vinyl. And, as good as it is, not everyone is in the market for a Reference $7900 PH 150, even though it is exceptional.
We currently offer a VERY good $350 phono option with our new SWL 9.0 Anniversary Edition preamp ($2900/ $3250 with phono). This phono option has 54dB of gain and serves med-high output MC and MM carts very well.
This design progressed to the point that I am now working on a 69dB MM/MC phono stage that is to be priced at or under $1K. It is pure SS, discrete and op amps. It features resistive loading via internal dip switches. I have not decided if the power supply will be external or internal. The prototype has the PS internal and I am evaluating this still.
I have been testing it with a .4mV MC today with great success.
If this sounds like something that you have been looking for, please let me know and share what features you would want in such a phono stage.
No, I really don't ever sleep :roll:
Thanks,
Dan
-
I heard the PH150 two years ago at CAF. I was so impressed with the sound and the ease of use. Only if I could afford... :( .Can not wait to see and hear this new cheaper version. :thumb:
-
I will eventually need a phono stage for my KWI-200.
not sure when that will be, a year or two maybe.
but I would definitely be interested in something affordable from MW
-
Thanks, we will continue to update with progress.
It will be an exceptional AND affordable phono stage!
Dan
-
Very exciting. Great to see a phono stage in that price point. Look forward to hearing how it does with an MC around 0.2 mv
-
The goal is for it to handle cartridges as low as .2mV. It has no problems so far with my .4mV cart.
Thanks,
Dan
-
Coming along nicely!
My first prototype is being fed my .4mV MC with ease and sounds great!
In addition to loading via the dip switches, there is also a switch that allows for a -6dB attenuation to suit gain needs better. Max MC gain is likely to be 69dB or so. MM will be less of course.
I am also exploring the possibility of a fully discrete design and that will be the next step.
At this piont, it looks like we can achieve all of this in a one-box solution with internal supply.
Thanks,
Dan
-
This is a great product idea, Dan. Enough gain to handle LOMC at under 1K with a quality that you would put your name behind. I think it will be a nice niche product for the emerging market for those getting back in or in for the first time to vinyl. Now, a dip switch on the outside would be so much better....
-
This is a great product idea, Dan. Enough gain to handle LOMC at under 1K with a quality that you would put your name behind. I think it will be a nice niche product for the emerging market for those getting back in or in for the first time to vinyl. Now, a dip switch on the outside would be so much better....
At this price point, I think that it can be more than a niche product! :D
-
Yes! It is intended to be a fairly high volume sales unit.
The goal is to produce a VERY high value phono stage that we can build for a reasonable price.
Thanks!
Dan
-
Will the phono stage be inverted like some of your prior stages?
-
This sounds like a great match for the anniversary edition SWLP 9.0!
-
Absolutely!
There is also a phono option for the SWL 9.0 Ann Ed, but the standalone phono offers higher gain, lower noise and greater flexibility.
Dan
-
What would an approximate release time be?
Would be an eager customer! :D
-
Also, would it contain balanced outs?
-
Hi, at this point, I do not plan to add balanced outs, not at that price. I am looking at other options however, as well as separate MM and MC circuits and flexible loading, gain and other features.
Thanks,
Dan
-
I am thinking that release will be after the new year, as Beta.
-
Exciting new $1K phono design news!
I have just finished evaluating our new Discrete Opamp Design and it sounds great!
I have first configured a single discrete op-amp with active and passive RIAA correction, with 36dB of MM gain. I am using a 2.4mV high output MC cartridge into our 11dB gain SWL 9.0 Anniversary Edition and I am getting GOOD gain and sound! With a 5mV MM cart, it would be IDEAL!
Now obviously I am not stopping there, and the final design will be MM and MC. What is exciting however, is that MM gain can be achieved with low noise and great sound, from a single discrete Opamp!
The next step will be to look at using either a fully discrete MC head-amp for additional gain, vs. two discrete Opamp stages to achieve min. 60dB MC gain.
I just wanted to share this exciting news, because this is a crude prototype and little attention has been given to shielding of the circuit or enclosure at this point.
We are on our way! More to come!
Thanks,
Dan
-
Hi Dan, Any updates to report on this phono stage?
-
Hi, sorry but I have been busy getting the Oppo Sonica mods done (will transfer to UDP-205) and preparing for Chicago Axpona along with a new balanced preamp design to debut there.
I have been working on it though!
I have the following designs in process:
1) MM fully discrete low cost design (<< $1K)
2) MM and MC fully discrete design (~$1K)
3) Hybrid MM and MC discrete design (> $1K)
I will return to all of this after Axpona and will have units ready for Beta testing soon!
Thanks,
Dan
-
Hi Dan,
I was just pinging you to see if any progress has been made. Would there be the possibility of dual outputs?
Thanks,
Greg
-
Hi, progress, but not a concrete product yet. Looking at discrete + op-amp circuits as well as fully discrete op-amp circuits. I will keep in mind, the dual inputs.
Thank you,
Dan
-
Do you have a picture of what it would look like?
-
Not really to be honest. The PH 9.0 took over priority, at the < $3K all tube design range.
In the interest of efficiency, I could see possibly using the same base enclosure for the $1K model but with a simpler face plate and controls. If so, it would be 10"Wx10"Dx4"H. PS may or may not be external, depending on how quiet I can make it.
Thanks,
Dan
-
sorry...wrong thread...too many tabs open...feel free to delete.
-
Progress?
-
Not recently, no. The PH 9.0 has sold VERY well for us this year and I am still considering a design at closer to $1K - $1500. I suppose $1K would be ideal
I would like for it to be a hybrid design and I have ideas, but time has not been on my side.
Yes it is still going to happen, but I have to finish the two new amp designs and make sure their launch to production is 100% successful first.
Thank you,
Dan
-
Not recently, no. The PH 9.0 has sold VERY well for us this year and I am still considering a design at closer to $1K - $1500. I suppose $1K would be ideal
I would like for it to be a hybrid design and I have ideas, but time has not been on my side.
Yes it is still going to happen, but I have to finish the two new amp designs and make sure their launch to production is 100% successful first.
Thank you,
Dan
Shopping for a phono right now.
:cry:
-
Sorry the best we can do right now is a good price on a PH 9.0, but it won't be $1K.
Thanks,
Dan
-
If you are good with SS, check out Channel Island Audio's $1K offering! I understand it is quite good!
Thanks,
Dan