[WEEZ]

Paul,

You mentioned the possibility (or were considering) the Wyetech Labs Jade. Check out the review on 6moons. (It's new)

I can directly speak to the Wyetech Labs Coral, as I own one. If I had to sum up the virtues in just a few words; the first thing that would come to mind is quiet. Dead quiet. Second would be 'tonally neutral'. Nothing 'tooby' about it in the traditional sense. Third would be the astounding build quality. First class all the way.

On the negative side of the ledger..well..it's not pretty. (The Jade looks better).

You can PM me, if you are interested in more insights....

WEEZ

[AB]

Would anyone care to compare the Modwright SWL with the Frist Sound Presence Dlx MkII?

Anyone A/B the Modwright and the Blue Circle preamps?

TIA

[tvad4]

Would anyone care to compare the Modwright SWL with the Frist Sound Presence Dlx MkII?

TIA

I have owned both. They are very, very close in terms of sonics...detailed, highly resolving, bone crunching bass and large image. The SWL9.0 has the advantage of a remote, home theater pass through, and a one-box unit. Also, Modwright is developing a phono stage.

On the other hand, the First Sound has the advantage as far as tube rolling possibilities. With the Modwright, you're pretty limited as far as being able to tailor its sound with tubes...and isn't this one benefit of owning a tube linestage?

Both are stunningly quiet. The First Sound threw a larger image...the largest I've heard in my system from any preamp whether SS or tube. The Modwright's image is also exceptionally large. The differences between the two are small.

The First Sound has outstanding build quality. All copper chassis. Controls that feel solid and precise like those in fine German automobiles.

The Modwright is less expensive.

Ultimately, I found both to be somewhat sterile, and I replaced them with a Lamm LL2 Deluxe.

Which would I buy first if I was going to buy one again?

I'd give the nod to the First Sound Presence Deluxe II, but by a narrow margin.

[AB]

Thanks for the info.

Would you say they both - Modwright, FS - sound similarly untubey or just barely tubey?

Did you run both through the DNA 500? Any issues or differences there? Am I correct in remembering a DNA 500 in your past?

Which would win the "inner detail" resolution contest? More extended highs?

Thanks again.

[tvad4]

Thanks for the info.

Would you say they both - Modwright, FS - sound similarly untubey or just barely tubey?

Both are untubey. Due to the tube rolling options, the First Sound has more flexibility for adjusting the sound from uber-untubey to less solid state sounding and more musical.

Did you run both through the DNA 500? Any issues or differences there? Am I correct in remembering a DNA 500 in your past?

I did. However, because I had the output gain reduced in my digital source, I don't believe I got a fair appraisal of how they mated with the DNA-500, so I'll pass on that question.

Which would win the "inner detail" resolution contest?

They are about dead even, however I'll give the slight nod to the First Sound...and I mean slight.

More extended highs?

Again, a slight edge to the First Sound. The inner detail and resolution will vary depending on the 6DJ8/6922 tubes utilized in the Presence Deluxe II. Siemens CCa being the most extended and resolving, IMO.

Thanks again.

Pleasure.




[/quote]

[AB]

Hmm...

So they are very, very close in SQ.

I have to say I love the Modwright. My only quibble would be a very slight lack of resolution in the top end and that very last bit of "inner detail" seems missing. If the stars are in alignment, it is all there but I find myself straining to hear the subtle tracking vocals or those airy bells and cymbols deep in the sound stage.

Any thoughts on the FS stepped attenuators? I have a bit of hearing loss but only on one side. I wonder if the seperate controls might be used to compensate for my right ear. Right now I simply deal with a slightly off center image but I would like to not.

I really am pretty darn satisfied with the SWL. I wished Dan had an upgrade path for it.

Thanks for the good info.

[tvad4]

My only quibble would be a very slight lack of resolution in the top end and that very last bit of "inner detail" seems missing.

You will absolutely not have this issue with a Presence Deluxe II.

Any thoughts on the FS stepped attenuators? I have a bit of hearing loss but only on one side. I wonder if the seperate controls might be used to compensate for my right ear. Right now I simply deal with a slightly off center image but I would like to not.

The separate attenuators are ideal for re-balancing.

[Gooch]

After a lot of playing with passives & actives over the last year I've decided that I usually do prefer an active tube linestage, provided that it is __QUIET__.

My current ModWright 9SE does fit the bill nicely, but I'd like to start thinking about upgrading it at some point.  Currently leaning toward the Wyetech Jade but would like to hear other ideas.

As I said, being dead quiet is of prime importance, as is a FAST peice.  I believe that the purpose of an active pre is to add dynamics.  The best ones can do with with absolutely minimal - if any - degradation in transparency (as compared to a TVC).  That is what I'm looking for.

I have always liked the sound of octals as well but that is NOT a requirement.

And, yes, the Dodd battery-powered unit is also already on the short list.

Paul
you want dead quiet,fast,and no degradation in transparency then forget the tubes and get Pass Labs it everything you described you want.   

[alotaklipsch]

I have owned over 20 great preamps, from Dared sl200, hovland 100, thor ta100 mk2, cj 17ls2, cj act2, modwright, juicy music, bat55, eastern electric et.

get the DODD AUDIO REFERENCE< or the DODD AUDIO BATTERY

this a a very valid suggestion

Smilin

[PhilNYC]

Anyone A/B the Modwright and the Blue Circle preamps?

TIA

As previously mentioned, we had the Modwright and the Blue Circle BC3 together at a NY Audio Rave last December.  While the listening conditions were not very good (lots of drinking and talking going on) and the A/B wasn't done very carefully, I think the consensus was that the Modwright was very warm and tube-like, whereas the BC was very neutral and transparent (one Raver even mistook it as a solid state preamp in comparison to the Modwright).

[Danny Richie]

get the DODD AUDIO REFERENCE< or the DODD AUDIO BATTERY

I have to agree. The new battery powered Dodd pre-amp is the best I have heard even in a price no object class.

It is dead quiet and has really low distortion. It has resolution and detail like solid state, but smooth like tubes. What I really like is the sense of air and space it allows in the sound stage. I highly recommend it.

[kbuzz3]

Curious that no one suggested the supratek. I have not heard one but it seems to be universally liked and rarely found used.  If i did not already have 3 preamps  (a restored piolt 216, a joule la 100 and a restored 400c fisher) i would be saving my shekels - even unheard for the

dodd battery
sas
a new joule la

[PaulFolbrecht]

Wow, this sure turned out to be a GREAT thread, but... I changed my mind again!!!  I went to a TVC passive and I'm there to stay.

The story is long and the reasons several.  I'll try to splain it if anybody gives a hoot.

[zybar]

Wow, this sure turned out to be a GREAT thread, but... I changed my mind again!!!  I went to a TVC passive and I'm there to stay.

The story is long and the reasons several.  I'll try to splain it if anybody gives a hoot.

Best non-room correcting preamp I ever owned or heard was the Bent NOH.  No need to explain here.

Enjoy.

George

[Robert57]

Paul, I actually would be very interested in your reasons for going the passive TVC route, if you could distill them quickly. I was under the impression an active pre , especially a tubed pre if well done, could add some heft, body, and dynamics to the music that would make a TVC passive sound a tad thin by comparison. The TVC's low gain (max 6db) is also a potential drawback for some systems. Which TVC did you end up getting? After this long thread, which WAS excellent, don't leave us hangin'!

Thanks.

Rob

[samplesj]

I was under the impression an active pre , especially a tubed pre if well done, could add some heft, body, and dynamics to the music that would make a TVC passive sound a tad thin by comparison. The TVC's low gain (max 6db) is also a potential drawback for some systems.

Isn't anything a pre adds undesirable?  If its not on the source media then extra heft, body, and dynamics are not accurate, but if that is the sound you are looking for then no problem.

Now as far as gain goes, I run my TVC at 0db and have no problems at all.  The amp I use needs 2.0v and the dac I use provides 2.0v.  2.0 is pretty much a standard and its mostly modded gear and some of the older NOS chips that don't provide that much juice.  A lot of amps don't even need a full 2.0v for max output.  Any input voltage over your amps max gain sensitivity is just causing distortion from the amp.

[PaulFolbrecht]

<quote>I was under the impression an active pre , especially a tubed pre if well done, could add some heft, body, and dynamics to the music that would make a TVC passive sound a tad thin by comparison. The TVC's low gain (max 6db) is also a potential drawback for some systems. Which TVC did you end up getting? After this long thread, which WAS excellent, don't leave us hangin'!</quote>

Ok, here are my basic thoughts on the subject.

#1, no component is invisible, although passive units are more so (in the area of noise, for sure).  After all, you're talking about a couple hundred feet of wire in a TVC.

#2, I don't know if active pres, when they're working well (synergistically, giving good results) are "adding" something or just "preventing loss".  I don't know, and I don't think anybody else really knows either.  You're quite right that they can give improved dynamics, body, and soundstaging, and I don't think whether it's added or it was already there means anything, because EVERYTHING we're talking about in hi-fi is ultimately artificial.  What matters is the end result and how closely it mimics a live performance, to you.

#3, Active-vs-passive is system-dependent.  Some source/amp combos will sound better with an active and some will not.

#4, BUT, I will say that if you have a source/amp combo that gives up nothing to an active pre with a TVC, you've got an advantage right there.  You can get transparency and speed with a TVC that I don't think you can get from an active without, at least, spending quite a bit more money.

My combo of Shanling SACDP and the new Consonance Cyber 845 SET monoblocks give up more than they gain with an active pre.  I even preferred a cheap resistor passive linestage to the excellent ModWright unit.  This combo is as good as I've heard - fast, clear, quiet, yet harmonically dense, liquid, and projecting a huge soundstage.

The TVC, which I don't yet have, I know from prior experience will be just as transparent but is almost certain to give better dynamics.

Theoretically, I like the less-is-more approach.  I like the notion of the least amount of active components.  I know that adding a tube pre can give better overall sound with certain amps, but I've found that the amps I like the most don't need it. 

I wanted an active pre because they're more flexible in the long haul, playing nicely with any amp and certainly never (in the case of great units like the ModWright) mucking things up in any serious way.  But, in the end I decided that, for the main system, I've got the amps I want (for a long time) and they're better with a passive linestage.