[cactusjack]

I currently use a Belles Soloist but I had plans to upgrade in the near future. The Modwright 9.0 SE seemed like a great candidate.  l several of my friends here and on audiogon have made this switch and all seemed very happy and felt it was an upgrade. This morning there were eight 9.0's (seven SE's and one signature) for sale used. One sold today for a ridiculously low price. I doubt there are 8 of any other model preamp for sale used on audiogon. I am not trying to stir a pot but get some insight into why so many for sale at one time.
Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for your insight.

[TONEPUB]

There are so many people out there that go through gear like
underwear, I wouldn't be worried about it.  Sometimes they
all hit at once and have ants in their pants to buy the new thing
so you end up with a few for sale all at once....

[rpf]

I doubt there's just one reason but it's probably mostly what Jeff said. Modwright sold quite a lot of the 9.0s over the last couple of years and there's bound to be significant turnover as people decide to try new pieces and even change whole systems. Plus some may be upgrading to the 36.5 as I did.

Also the 9.0SE's strict neutrality requires more careful matching than the 9.0 Signature's more fulsome (yet even more resolving) character. Most of the units for sale are the SEs. If you're looking to buy a 9.0, either get a Sig. or upgrade to it as it has all of the positive elements of the SE with increased resolution, soundstaging and tonal accuracy - w/o any other drawbacks.

You need not have any concern over reliability as the units are very well built and Dan Wright's service is superb. 

[TONEPUB]

True.

I bought the original 9.0 when I still worked for The Absolute Sound about 4 years
ago. Two years ago I sold it to a good friend, and he still has it and has had no grief
whatsoever.  He's still on the original set of tubes!

[Bill Baker]

There is also the fact that a lot of ModWright customers are making the move up to the 36.5 which could be the reason for some of the sales. Lastly, it could simply be due to financial reasons.
 One never knows the real reasons why products get sold by their owners. Don't let the used market scare you, take advantage of it.

[zybar]

Buy now and save, save, save!!

George

[sleepysurf]

I suspect that some of those listed on A'gon might be there because it's a real pain to have to remove 10 screws any time you want to try tube rolling!  I recently had to send my SWL 9.0 (Signature) back to Dan, as I thought it blew something in the rectified power supply.  Fortunately, it was apparently just a bad Sovtek 5AR4, and Dan made sure everything was up to spec (superb customer service, BTW!).  He sent it back to me with a Ruby 5AR4, and the music, soundstage, and detail are better than ever!  I've also tried an (old) Mullard 5AR4, but the Ruby proved superior in every way!  I'd also like to try some other 5687's, but don't relish taking the cover off yet again.  I know Dan's busy, but maybe one day he'll design an upgrade cover for the SWL which allows easier tube rolling/replacement!  That might make the SWL 9.0 more attractive (for the long haul).  Regardless, IMHO, the tube-rectified SWL is an absolutely superb linestage, and mine won't be listed on A'gon anytime soon!

[mca]

Regardless, IMHO, the tube-rectified SWL is an absolutely superb linestage, and mine won't be listed on A'gon anytime soon!

I agree, I owned the regular SE a few years back and now own the Signature. It's a huge improvement, IMHO and I have not even tried any tube rolling yet 

I will have to do a little research on the Ruby 5AR4.

[TONEPUB]

You're kidding right?

There are two ways to solve this issue.  Leave the top off until you settle
on the tubes you want, then screw it back together.

(most gear uses 10-15 screws to hold the lid on (CJ, BAT, ARC, McIntosh, etc.)

Or, if you feel the need to constantly remove the top, go to your favorite hardware
store and replace the factory screws with allen head bolts and only tighten them
down hand tight/snug.  Three bucks at your favorite hardware store should
fix this easy!

[AB]

It's called upgrade-itis.

The SWL is most likely the first "high End" purchase for many. And once that ball starts rolling we know there's rarely an end to it.

Plus, the SWL was/is VERY popular.

I still own my SWLP.

[sleepysurf]

...Or, if you feel the need to constantly remove the top, go to your favorite hardware
store and replace the factory screws with allen head bolts and only tighten them
down hand tight/snug...

Doh, that's a simple solution!  Thanks! 

[MarkR7]

Just an interesting observation....when I owned the SWL 9.0SE, it seemed to me that is sounded better with the cover affixed than with it off.  That added another level of complexity when tube rolling!  It must have added quite a bit to the rigidity of the preamp chassis in order to make a noticeable difference.

[sleepysurf]

I've always assumed a more rigid box is better, not to mention the safety issue of having exposed wires!  I'll go with the finger tightenable bolts.

[cactusjack]

Thanks for the thoughts. I will just need to save a little longer for a Signature 9.0 or a 36.5. I have been enjoying the circle ever since I found it and was surprised there were a few like me running the Belles 350A Ref.
happy listening to all
Cactusjack

[sts9fan]

It was a "flavor of the month".  That says nothing of the quality or value.  The habitual swappers always go for the FOTM and sell off.  See Emerald Physics.