Modwright PH 9.0X Tube Rolling Question

Hey @pindac - the unit you were able to demo was the SWP 9.0 SE, not the PH9.0. The PH9.0 was the SWP’s successor about 3-4 years ago and is completely different design (circuitry, tubes, chassis) than the SWP. The SWP was very good as it was, as I owned it prior to the PH9.0. But the PH9.0’s noise levels and openness drove it to be an even higher performer. The PH9.0X was an even further upgrade than the PH9.0 by removing all caps in the signal path and instead using high quality Lundahl transformers that brought the fidelity very close to the $8K Modwright PH150. I did find the PH9.0X upgrade worth the extra funds, for anyone who is interested. I’ve brought this up in other threads on this forum which can be found if people search for Modwright PH9.0.

Wanted to bump this for any new comments. Anyone try the Telefunken 6922?

I bought Amperex gold 6922's about 18 months ago and my initial reaction was they were slightly more bright than the stock ones but kept them in to let them burn in and never removed them. Just looking to try something different. Thanks.

By chance, has anyone heard or heard of the tube rectifier upgrade now being offered by Modwright for the PH 9.0X power supply ?

It`s a $500 mod that comes with a single Sovtek 5AR4 tube and I`m wondering if it would be a worthwhile investment or not ?

@scm I didn’t have that upgrade when I had my PH9.0X, but Dan offered that rectifier tube and circuit with a lot of his other units, a few of which I owned. A rectifier-based power supply will deliver additional harmonics and remove any edge you may be feeling/hearing in the unit. Consider it a form of additional power filtering that both improves current delivery in some areas and sags in others. The result is a more musical gelling and oftentimes more realism.

Dan provides a sovtek because they are readily available, but if you swing for the upgrade be prepared to invest in a more premium and costly rectifier. My favorites in his power supplies have been the Philips 5R4GYS, which deliver unparalleled holography, harmonics and bloom. The EML 5U4G is also very good, perhaps more linear. I’ve tried at least a dozen other tubes, but I tend to go back to one of these. I no longer have any units with a tube rectified circuit, but I still hold on to these tubes in the case that one day I may have another. Hope this helps.

blisshifi....Thank you very much for that information.

I`m going to go ahead and have the upgrade done. 

I`ll let the stock tube get some time on it and then maybe shop for another tube once I`m familiar with the Sovtek sound.

Thanks again

Steve