For several years I searched for a phonostage that was going to let me get the most out of my vinyl collection. I admit that I had a budget so I was not free to "go crazy" and I limited myself to between $3K to $3.5K. I was (and still am) using a Rega P8 table with a Sumiko Blue Point No.3 (a cartridge that should not be underestimated merely based on its cost). So the journey started..
I first started off by reading as many reviews as possible. At the time I was looking there were not many tube based phono preamps that were in my price range so that limited me to solid state units but that was okay for there were several brands that were highly recommended; Sutherland, Parasound, Plinius, Avid, Phonomena and others. I bought a lot to include that were highly recommended by several audio magazines to include one very well known analog expert. Nothing worked - they were all duds. I had Parasound, Plinius, Phonomena, Sutherland, and a few others. I was losing hope (and money).
By this time I had purchased a Modwright LS100 as well as a Modwright KWA100SE (all are highly recommended BTW). The dealer from whom I bought these mildly suggested I try the Modwright PH 9.0. It was tubed, within my budget, I had some equipment I had sold so I was within budget. So I bought a PH 9.0. Dan built it and it was shipped to me within a week of ordering it. Since I live in Washington state it only took a day to ship. When it arrived I anxiously opened the box and removed a very well crafted and engineered phono preamp. It only took a matter of a few minutes to install. I fired up the whole system and let it cook for a few hours.
After those hours passed I sat down and put on my first LP, a 45rpm recording of Melody Gardot and played "Maybe I am a fool". And there it was. Magic! There was the sound that only analog can give and it was there in spades! Even my wife came in from another room and asked what had I bought for whatever it was it was NOT to be sold! LP after LP came out and I sat for six hours soaking it all in. It was like the first time I had heard great vinyl being played.
That was some months back and with boredom setting in and convalescing from some intense surgery, I decided to have Dan upgrade the PH9.0 with the "X" upgrade. This removes the caps, some chokes and replaces them with two hefty Lundahl transformers so the 9.0 will be truly balanced and transformer coupled. The upgrades are listed on the Modwright website. Today I received the 9.0 back with the X mods. Oh my...Oh my, my, my. I have never spent money more wisely than I did when I had Dan modify the 9.0 with this X upgrade. How he does this for so little money is beyond me. The man is a genuis and also a magician! Even cold with a mere few minutes to get the tubes up and running the 9.0 X is a stunner. And I do not say that lightly. The word(s) I keep coming back to are clear, alive, real, dynamic, intoxicating and simply bone chilling. The soundstage grew in all directions, the clarity of the performers, orchestra or whatever you have on the table is beyond belief. I feel as if I bought another $50,000 worth of gear - amps, speakers, wire, you name it. Simply stunning...
I do not want to take up a lot of room or time but I did want to let anyone who is thinking about buying a 9.0 or a 9.0X this: you will not do better anywhere. Please trust me. I spent a lot of time and effort trying to get my vinyl rig to play like I know it should and it never sang until the 9.0 arrived. Even if you do not get the X upgrade (but you should) the 9.0 will amaze you. It is highly adaptive so there will be a lot of cartridges you can use. I am not using an expensive cartridge by any means and I am loving this! It is music as music should be.
Dan is a man who deserves your attention. He answers emails personally, his staff is kind and fun and they take care of you. It is the type of service one longs for and you get it in heaps. I am so impressed I am planning on selling some body parts to get to the LS300 preamp for if that does a tenth of what I think it will do, I would die a happy man.
I cannot say enought about Modwright. If you are looking for a phono preamp, you need to look no further than the 9.0 or 9.0X. It is a true game changer...
Thanks for your attention and patience...