[Mags]

Please help me decide on my late Xmas present from my wife. It's down to the Modwright preamp or the Zero One music server ("Archival Transport"). Currently I'm using the preamp outputs from my Pioneer VSX-812K receiver as my preamp, going to Flying mole monoblocks and driving Zu Druids. It sounds great like this, so I'm wondering how much more there is to gain by going to the preamp, even though 6 Moons really liked it with the Druids, and the Pioneer is a comparatively cheapo receiver.
My concern with the Zero One is that this is very new technology and is a bit expensive (~$3600 with DAC), so I'm afraid new competitors will spring up soon that outdo this unit for less money. The pros for the server are the fact that my CDs get archived and no longer take up so much space in the living room, not to mention the supposed superior sound quality.

Help me with this (pleasant) dilemma!!!!

[ted_b]

Preamp makes huge differences, and the Modwright is a one-of-a-kind special pre.  I bought it sight and review unseen because Dan did such incredible work on my DVD/SACD mod.  The preamp is a world class piece.  Buy it.  Now.  All sources will love you for it....and your wife will too.

[woodsyi]

I have a feeling media storage/server  will be a hot item and there will be many products coming out this year and next.  Competition always breeds better product and reduction in price.  I would wait on this.  SWL 9.0 SE is probably not going to go lower in price anytime soon.  It seems to have an unusually high resale value as well.  I would go for one of the six Dan was offering as show (CES) specials if I didn't already have one.

[ss397]

switching my system from a b&k 307 as a preamp to a SAS 10a tubed preamp made a huge difference in my system. i got an across the board improvement in image, soundstage, detail, and dynamics. voices and percussion took on a new level of realism. reverb effects are more pronounced. i think a high quality preamp is a must have in system building.

[miklorsmith]

I own the Modwright and use it with Zu Definitions, previously Druids.  My source/amp combo are excellent with these, but insert the Modwright into the equation and BLAMMO.  Tone and texture are significantly improved and soundstage is 3 - 4 times deeper.  Take it out and it sounds like the music is eminating from a board, comparatively.

The Modwright is a special piece.

I'm going to hard-drive based source, but I'll be using SB-3, wireless.  This is a $300 - $700 option and has infinitely-upgradable storage and software options through your computer.  You could buy a brand new, top-flight computer with 1 TB storage and a fully modded Squeezebox for less money than many of the standalone options.

And, computer audio is Brand New.  Anything you buy today is going to be better at half the price two years from now.  The Modwright could still be featured in your system in a decade.  And, it's much cheaper today than the alternative.  

[Gordy]

Who did you say the present was for????  

The MW is the finest preamp I've heard in my system or anywhere else, so far!  With any luck at all mine will arrive tomoorow!!!