WhestTHREE signature phono pre vs. ModWright PH 9.0X

@mmcgill829 FWIW I demoed a lot of phono stages before I landed on the older Modwright SWP 9.0 SE, the predecessor to the PH9.0. Even that older unit bested the last Herron phono, the Allnic H-1201, and a few others. I went to the PH9.0 and it was magnitudes better. Vlad Bazelkov of Audio Mirror was with me when I unboxed the 9.0 and he immediately contacted Dan Wright and bought one for himself. I upgraded to the PH9.0X and ended up referring 3-4 more people I knew who ended up buying them. I demoed it against the Luxman EQ-500 and preferred the PH9.0X. 

At the end of the day, I did let it go to move on to really high end solid state. I started a thread a little over a year ago called “Solid State Phono Stages” if you want to read about that journey. I did do a bit of exploring, and it took phono stages $13K+ to be able to get past the PH9.0X. Even then, I would consider the units I owned since to be different, and not necessarily better in every dimension. 

Like @audiosaurusrex I run a similar combo…Hana Umami Red on a Rega P10, into a Modwright PH150 (Dan’s reference phono), into an Octave V80SE integrated. The 9.0X is really close in performance to the PH150. I just happened to get a great deal on a demo unit. The MW is absolutely stunning. I auditioned it against several phonos in the $8-12k range and it just fit my system perfectly. I’ve played tenor sax for years and it recreates the the timbre, tone, and dynamic response of that instrument (and others) so well. Its dynamic presence too is really stunning. Acoustic instruments and vocals also superb! For me when I listen to my system the balance just sounds right. Dan is a great guy to interact with too, very responsive, he’s humble and not flashy, but knows his gear kicks butt. The Part-Time Audio reviews of the Modwright phono stages are really spot on. You won’t be disappointed with the 9.0X. 

Seems like the 9.0X will be the way I go! Thanks everyone.

Quick update - have had the 9.0X for a few months and love it. Was a significant, immediate upgrade from the Phonomena II+ (as I'd hope given the large price difference), and sounds fantastic. Very happy with it.

@mmcgill829 Congrats! Dan makes an incredible phono stage for sure! It will also benefit from an upgraded fuse and aftermarket power cables, and I preferred the unit with Reflektor 6H23 and Amperex PQ 6922 or 7308.