Up for sale is my Modwright KWA 150 SE "Signature Edition" power amplifier. This is a special piece of equipment on every level. First off, this amplifier is capable of providing effortless (and seemingly limitless) amounts of power. 150 watts seems like a conservative estimate, and this amp can drive just about any speaker system with power and speed. Paired with another KWA 150 SE and used in mono block mode, you could pretty much power a small country with these things (a slight exaggeration). There are two bias settings, with the "high" setting being better sonically (both sound good, but low bias uses less energy).
The build quality and materials is simply amazing - it is truly a reference grade product. The thick, aluminum chassis is beautifully machined by artisans, and the Modwright "MW" logo is cut int the top of the chassis, doubling as ventilation holes. There is a defeat-able LED back light to the top, which emits a soft, blue glow from above. The large "MW" logo on the front of the unit also is back-lit blue, and the logo itself acts as the power switch when you press it. The unit is very heavy and large, and it will strike a very physical presence in your equipment rack.
Appearances aside, the unit sounds amazing because it really imparts no sonic signature of its own. It is about the most neutral power amplifier that I have heard. It does not alter the sound of music- it takes the signal that it is fed and it makes it louder. Very simple. If you have source gear and a preamplifier that you enjoy tonally, this amplifier will take that sound and give it effortless scale.
My particular unit is in just about perfect condition, The pointed spike feet and protective cups are included, as is the owners manual and the original box and power cord.
I am the second owner of this unit, and I physically picked up the unit from the original owner's home less than 20 minutes from my house. The first owner is a meticulous audiophile and takes great care of his equipment, as do I. There may be other KWA 150 SE's on the market, but this is a fully up-to-spec and mint condition example that has not "spanned the globe" in the back of a UPS truck. I am only selling because subsequent changes to my speakers and front end have led me down the path of tube gear. Steak or lobster - both are excellent.
From the manufacturer:
"The KWA 150 provides the strengths of both tube and solid state products: 3-D sound-staging, holographic imaging, and a beautiful midrange of tubes, combined with sparkling highs, low distortion, bass resolution, and control of solid state.
The heart of the KWA 150 Amplifier is a single voltage gain stage called the Solid State Music Stage. The circuit was developed by Alan Kimmel, creator of the exceptional vacuum tube Mu stage.
Features include: high-low bias switch, stereo/bridge-mono switch and true balanced floating inputs, accepting balanced and unbalanced inputs. The design incorporates a regulated power supply for the input stage, Cardas best connectors and oversized heat sinks. The first watts operate in pure Class A.
The KWA 150 uses no global feedback, is direct-coupled, fully differential, dual-mono, bridgeable, and designed and built in the USA."
Asking $4,000. Amp is located in Bernardsville, NJ 07924.
