"Coming a few short years after the 9.0's launch, Dan Wright musta hitched some wild ride on a steep learning curve. This isn't a MkII revision in a gussied-up box to charge a pretty penny for a spin and packaging job. This isn't even a hot-rodded modification. This is a new ball game on an altogether loftier plateau."I want to thank Srajan for the excellent and thorough review, comparing and contrasting the LS 36.5 to its lesser cost cousin, the SWL 9.0SE (not Signature Edition) as well as tube offerings from Wytech Labs and Supratek, and an excellent SS offering from Coda .
Srajan does an excellent job of pointing out the differences between the excellent 9.0SE - priced at $2495, and the LS 36.5 at $4995. There is a significant difference in price and this is repaid with a significant improvement in performance, build quality, flexibility and functionality with its balanced inputs, outputs and phase switching capabilities (also on remote control).
"Or as I told Dan in an e-mail: "It kills the SWL 9.0SE." To which the creator replied: "I'm glad to hear it does.""He says the following in comparing the LS 36.5 to one of the other tube offerings:
"What the 36.5 introduces is a quality not equally measurable. Nor is it quantifiable by lingo that references back to technical reasons. You can hear the difference but explaining it accurately is elusive business. It's a bit like the difference between fine table water and one that's a subtle infusion of floral essences or adds just a hint of atomized oil.""...in my book, the 36.5 is the machine which advances beyond superlative specs into the realm of intangibles."Comparing the LS 36.5 to the well designed SS offering from Coda:
"Compared to Coda's new 0.5X 18dB transistor preamp, the ModWright's valve heart enjoys the same deep space advantage the 101D-tapped Supratek enjoys...while being the Coda's equal in noise and micro detail retrieval. When tubed preamps can compete with highly competent transistor units in the S/N and resolution races, you know some serious engineering was involved."In closing:
"In the end, that's really the ticket: how to distill what's good about tubes while ditching what's not. The SWL 9.0 modelled itself closely on high-resolution transistor sound, i.e. neutral down the middle. The LS-36.5 stays the course but digs deep into the space drawer of dimensionality and layering where tubes hold the aces. It's really amazing how far Dan Wright has come in a short time as a manufacturer. At its price, the LS-36.5 is a very strong statement to make both its designer and future owners proud. Time for Dan to try his hands at a matching amp? He's surely got the chops, our modman. Brava! as they shout at the Italian Opera...
This product is dialed, with clearly a lot of thought given to features and implementation. A home run."Link to review:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/modwright2/365.htmlThank you again Srajan for a great review. The comparisons to other products, most noteably our first manufactured product, the SWL 9.0SE, are well received...especially given the amount of positive customer feedback and reviews included on this forum, in print and internet 'zines.
Final Note RE first unit damaged in shipping to Srajan:The first unit sent to Srajan was early in the production phase of the LS 36.5 and we learned a lesson about how roughly all gear gets handled in shipping. Due to the use of a proprietary vibration isolation system beneath the LS 36.5's main audio circuit board, coupled with the additional weight of the custom-wound output transformers, we found the unit to be at risk for damage due to rough handling. As a result, all units have since shipped with a 'lock screw' in place, that binds the main audio board to a nylon standoff, secured directly to the chassis. This is removed with a 1/16" Allen tool. The unit still operates without removing this screw, but removing it allows the vibration isolation system to be activated.Dan W.
President, ModWright Instruments Inc.
